NAVAL CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1930, Page 3

NAVAL CONFERENCE

THE FIVE NAVAL POWERS'. "

Lmled Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.)

LONDON, Feb. 16

The “Sunday Times” in an editorial, says the five principal naval Powers are engaged in discussing armaments in terms of, war. The fact cannot be escaped that the whole trend of the discussion presupposes respective fleets will bo engaged against one another. The reason is obvious tlie Kellogg Pact is not trusted. It remains a pious resolution without machinery while the thing rests with America,. They originated the pact and will they buck it with doev-s < Either the nations must show they mean wliat they say about peace or the discussions at St. James’ Palace must become but a base for a new race in armaments that is bound to end in war. Everything depends oil America. Will Hoover make a momentous historical appeal to his countrymen ? We believe they would respond.

VARIOUS VIEWPOINTS

LONDON, Feb. 15. An official Japanese statement amends the American-Japanese cruiser totals as follows: —Firstly, small 147—81 f ; alternatively 189—107$^ Mr Garvin in', an oaitsgbkejn .art icle in the “Observer” says the Conference has come to grips with a vengeance, giving shocks to the peace pact parity. First the Anglo-Ameri-can accord is strained by the American desire to build the world’s largest and most destructive floating fortress.

Secondly, Japan is claiming submarine equality with the British Empire. and United States thirdly, has put forward an astounding programme creating her a first-class imvd power in addition to being the world supreme military and air power. Britain on the grounds of parity does not object to America building a super Rodney, hut the propostion setbacks the whole cause of disarmament in view of the French programme entailing submarine superiority. Britain would be forced to increase destroyers. Is the dreary pre-war system of competitive armaments to be continued even by the Kellogg Pact? The signatories to the Conference will fail if their statement dops not rise above technical details' And insist oil a change of mind, habit and outlook. PARIS, Feb. 16.

The whole press reflects disappointment and pessimisms at the progress ,1 n - soeep- of -the Conference. Everywhere the need of -guarantees find security.,, is emphasised. “Le Temps” ’typically says Jt is time tlie Powers gave up hopes of duping us. If there is a real desire to cut down the navies let them show confidence by.signing a mutual, political agreement. The “Tribune” says it will be interesting to see how far the Conference succeeds in abating French demands. Just as Washington resulted in tlie recognition of America as a naval power London is called 011 to recognise France as navally equal to Britain and America. Only Italy has a sincere loyal desire to reduce armaments.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16,

With dispatches from London indicating as the Conference approaches the end of the month three main hopes, namely, reduction of tonnage, abolition of submarines and elimination of battleships are disappointed to the extent “that statesmen have now realised the chief results as well as some of the finest naval construction programme the world has yet seen.”

The Hoover administration nevertheless is not downcast nor fearful of results. The PresideAt feels the Conference outlook is as favourable as could be expected of it as the prospective treaty will provide for a reduction by scrapping except battleships and that an agreement will consist “of a stabilisation programme” for navies of the world bas'’d on the limitation of categories and replacements and thus will lead to an actual reduction at the next Naval Conferenoe, now tentatively projected Bor 1935.