GENERAL DAWES

Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1929, Page 5

GENERAL DAWES

OUTLINES PROCEEDINGS

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received this day at noon.) RUGBY, Nov. 17

General Dawes (United States Ambassador in London) who returned from a brief visit to America yesterday, was the guest at a dinner last night of the Institute of Journalists. The Foreign Secretary, Mr Arthur Henderson was present.

General Dawes referred to the results of the Anglo-American naval conversations which were begun by him in an interview with the Prime Minister immediately after Dawes reached England, to tune up his appointment some months ago, and to the prospects of tlie .January Five Power Conference. That Conference, he said, was called under tlie aegis of the Kellogg Pact, and in its sp.nt the great naval powers would meet. Negotiations between Great Britain and United States bad been preliminary and their result was subject to such modifications as might result from the necessities of other Powers. In these preliminary negotiations, as in any more general disarmament negotiation, the motto of “one thing at a time” should be kept in mind. Discussion of other ultimate objectives such as the Freedom of the Seas and more comprehensive disarmament should never be allowed to obstruct any agreement which may be a step in this direction. Public opinion eventually would control all, and for n proper formation of its final judgment, the public should first have a clear statement and understanding of the case.

During the last four months in conversations between Great Britain and United States most of the time had been devoted to a technical, naval discussion in a preliminary way of the following points:— First—Of the naval requirements of each of two nations essential to their respective security. Second—Of whether reduction might be secured consistent with the meeting of these requirements. Third—Of what would constitute equality of strength between the two nations, particularly in the cruiser category.

A substantial agreement upon what constitutes equality in cruiser category involved the settlement of a series of technical questions, upon each ot which, .at first conflicting opinions ■vere submitted. In each instance this involved tlie necessity of further research and reconstruction by both sides before a final agreement of the technical Naval Board and British Admiraltv was reached.,

Conflicting opinions remain on only minor matters . involving thirty thousand tons out of an aggregate tonnage of two million four hundred thousand.

Had this series of technical questions been discussed publicly by the general body composed lioth of naval technicians and statesmen of the two countries, instead of being dealt .with one at a time, and in an order determined by the principals and the President and Prime Minister, advised separately by naval staffs, in his judgment no agreement would have been reached.