MR KELLOGG’S ACTION

Hokitika Guardian, 3 December 1928, Page 5

MR KELLOGG’S ACTION

REFUSES TO REPLY TO Mlt BRITTEN. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph —Copyright). (Received this day at 8 a.m.) NEW YORK, Dec. 1. Th e New York Herald’s Washington correspondent states Mr Kellogg politely hut firmly refused, to accept Mr Baldwin’s reply to Mr Britten. Howard called to-day formally to deliver the message “through diplomatic channels.” Mr Kellogg cordially greeted tne Ambassador but the greeting did not apply to tho message lie was hearing. Air Kellogg declined to touch it.

While no official version of conversation has been disclosed it is iinflorstood he informed Air Howard that United States would continue fo handle its diplomatic negotiations without assistance from outsiders, even if one of the would-be negotiators was the Chairman of the House Naval Affairs Committee, and even if tho topic of diplomatic conversations related to naval affa ins.

Air Kellogg’s action was characterised bv Afr Britten to-night as “exceedingly improper.” He suggested the committee of Foreign Affairs of the House or Senate might feel inclined to ask the Secretary hy what authority he had taken such action. WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.

Following the conference by Sir Esme Howard with Air Kellogg, the State Department announced the Ambassador had not submitted Air Baldwin’s reply for transmission to Chairman Britten. Beyond stating the proposal was without precedent. Kellogg is working in harmony with Air Britten on it. the ambassador did not discuss the matter hut indicated, however, he would not consider a transmission of the reply from tlie British Embassy to Britten, inasmuch a.s it would consti-t’-to a breach of diplomatic procedure unless approved hy the State Department. The State Department is reticent, apart from leaving the impression that the Department would ignore Air Britten’s communication,