NAVAL CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 23 January 1930, Page 6

NAVAL CONFERENCE

•THE KING' PRAISED

BY NEW YORK “TIMES.”

(United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.— Copyright. 1

NEW YORK, Jan.- 21

, The New York “Times” in a leading article entitled “A ltoyal Democrat,” commenting on the King’s address, emphasised the simplicity of his “ci'tizehlike” attitude.vlt says: '“The world has come to love peace. The trappings of war have no place at such meetings. None has more cause to leave peace, or more inclination to respect democracy than the ruler of the British Empire. In his youth he served in all grades of the British Navy, and there is yet to be found a shipmate of whatever class who accuses him of ‘side.’ No* monarch in any age has been more sincere in welcoming an effort for peace and in striking the note of democracy than King George the Fifth.’’

THE MORAL AND MATERIAL PROBLEMS.

LONDON, Jan. 22

It is generally agreed that no conference ever- opened with --a -more friendly atmosphere than the one which the King has just inaugurated. The French delegates seem highly gratified with the manner in which tlie question of national..needs in warships is put on the forefront. Newspapers of all shades of opinion welcome the conference, and cordially approve , of the opening speeches. The “Daily Telegraph” describes the conference as “an event which, under Providence, will lepve its mark in history.” It proceeds to stress practically only one point, namely Mr MacDonald’s reference to a diminishing of military power and a proportionate increase in political security. “To estimate the extent and worth of that increase,” it' says, “will be a moral problem for th'e conference. That it has value cannot, reasonably be questioned.”

“DAILY NEWS” VIEWS

LONDON, Jan. 22

The “Daily News” says: “The Naval Conference would not. have been possible but for a marked change taking place in public opinion as regards national armaments AVe believe that statesmen have been slow to note the change and have lagged behind.” It concludes by offering good wishes, “especially to those about to enter the battle against the. 35,000 tons eight million sterling battleships, the most frightful of all developments of the Piiffier'epO’ch'.'” / r DEEDS NOT WORDS NEEDED. • Referring’ to the Naval .Conference the Labour paper, “Daily Herald” asks: “Will the delegates, when it "owes down to the brass tacks of gunnagp and tonnage, he trjie to the words spoken by them yesterday ? Success depends upon their sincerity', courage and- readiness to tulip ’ risks for the sake of war. There is no mistaking the will of the people.” The “Daily Telegraphy in its Naval Conference comment continues: “But to translate recognition of that truth enunciated hv Mr MacDonald into terms of disarmament, by agreement, can hardly be an easy or a brief affair. It is satisfactory to note that the Prime Minister refrained from optimistic generalities in that connection.”

A “SECURITY” ADVOCATE

LuNDON, Jan. 2l

“The Times” says: “The King faithfully interpreted the feelings of his subjects in making this conference tlie occasion of his first appearance in public at a State function since his illness. Nothing touching the naval defence of .our small island and scattered Empire leaves as unmoved. It is not expected that the Conference will devise a mutually acceptable formula for general and permanent disarmament. Its task is a simpler one-, namely, to agree upoiF"an actual minimum amount of construction which for the next five or six years will give each of the Powers the reasonable security to be desired without imperilling that of the others.” LONDON PRESS COMMENT. LONDON, Jan. 22. The “Morning Post”'says: “We are grateful to the King and to Mr MacDonald for expressing the nation’s feelings about the navy, its. achievements, its traditions, and what it means to us.” The paper adds: “If we rightly understand that no reduction is to be accepted which diminishes our national security, it would be what the nation expects from the Government.” The “Daily Chronicle” says: “There is nothing whatever to prevent a successful issue except the delegates themselves or the Government behind them. Hundreds of millions'of people have given their mandate.” PRESIDENT HOOVER PLEASED WASHINGTON, Jan. 21. President Hoover is thoroughly pleased with the propitious opening of the London Conference, but he has refrained from any' comment, beyond expressing delight at the clarity with which the King’s address was received on the radio at the White House Gymnasium, where the President listened with members of the Cabinet,

who joined him in setting up exercises. Governmental circles have expressed thorough satisfaction at the evidence of mutual confidence, but any definite comments are withheld. AMERICAN PRESS 'OBJECTION LONDON, Jan. 22. A number of the foreign Journalists are disappointed to learn that the Naval Conference is to he private until decisions are able to be announced. It is gathered that this secrecy will be attacked by the Hearst Press of America. It is' explained that there is no accommodation, even if it were desirable, in view of the wish of the delegates to express themselves freely.