CRUISER CONTROVERSY

Hokitika Guardian, 29 November 1928, Page 6

CRUISER CONTROVERSY

Fill EN DL V DISC U SSI OX •PROPOSED. COM MITT DCS TO MEET IX CANADA. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). WASHINGTON. Nov. 27. Representative Britten, Chairman of the House Naval Affairs Committee, sent a private cablegram to Mr Baldwin, proposing that the House Naval Affairs Committee should meet In Canada with the Parliamentary Naval Committee ,to discuss the cruiser controversy between the United States and Britain. He stated that lie did not consult President Coolidge or the State Department before acting upon his own Initiative, hut “prepared the message in my office, and sent it as any private message.” Mr Britten said there was nothing improper in his cablegram, because lie had acted not only in the capacity of Chairman of the Naval Affairs Committee, but also as Vice-President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. State Department officials recalled an old statute forbidding direct eoinmunient,ion 'betweeh; a * pri vate' oitisspn of -the United States and a foreign Government about State affairs, but suggested that this was intended to apply to persons revealing information in a harmful way, and Representative Britten was trying to he helpful. The cablegram stated: “Recalling your publicly expressed desire on November 14th for more frequent personal discussions between American and British representatives, and remembering very pleasantly by personal participation in the Inter-Parlia-mentary Conferences both here and in Europe. I am impelled to suggest'a meeting of the Committee of Naval Affairs of the United States House of Representatives and a selected Committee of Members of Parliament, for the purpose of a friendly discussion, and hearing the testimony in connection with applying, the principle of equality in sea power between Britain and the United States,, not already covered by the Washington Treaty. The meeting could take place preferably in Canada, after March 4th, 1929. Each Committee wifi report, with re- . commendations to its respective Government, as may now be done annually by various groups of the Inter-Par-liamentary Union. While there is so much regret among the people of England and America over the failure of the last Geneva Limitation Conference surely some way . should ibe .found of meeting' before 1931, when the five leading Naval Powers will again assemble at Washington. I-will-respect your personal desires in connection with these suggestions.” Explaining the cablegram Representative Britten said: “The failure, of past Limitation Conferences in many quarters has been attributed to their being composed of military men and while I do not agree with this presumption, T would prefer that both Committees were composed entirely oi non-military men. America’s naval policy has never, been competitive, but, on the contrary, has always been defensive, and barely commensurate with the United States’ world position. We actually have been backward in promoting new national defence. The American people favour a general .armament reduction, ibut only to the limit of safety. Pacifism wil l never reign in our red-blooded country. If it should, we are lost. England and America should lead the way now towards naval limitation and a peaceful understanding on the seas. We must never be regarded as military competitors.” NEW YORK, Nov. 27. The New York Times Washington correspondent states that Representative Britten’s course is likely to arouse resentment in the Administration and bring the accusation that libproposal is intended- to give him publeity. It goes without saying that the Senate will he provoked to say at least over the proposal, that, the House alone should represent the United States in suggesting an International Conference. INTERESTING SUG &EST JON. OTTAWA,' Nov. 27. Canadian Government officials state that the suggestion by the United States Representative Britten, that there should be a conference in Can ada between the United States House Naval'Affairs Committee and the British Naval Parliamentary Committee, on the cruiser controversy, is the first intimation here of any proposal for such a meeting. The f suggestion is. viewed in official circles as “a very interesting one.” PROPOSAL OBJECTED TO. (Received this day at 9. a.m.) WASHINGTON, Nov. 28. The administration quarters are extremely cold towards Mr Britten's proposal (cabled on 2-71 h November). It is intimated there is no precedent for such an action and it is suggested Mr Britten has . one roach ed upon the President’s position as a treaty maker.