NAVAL CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1930, Page 5

NAVAL CONFERENCE

MR STUM SON’S ADDRESS

[United Press Association —By Electric To leg ra p i i—Copy right, j

(Received this day at 8 a.m.) LOADuiN, A.pm 22

Mr Stimson said iie wished to congruLiliale jw on tiie smcessliil conof tne Loineretice. M iiank you ror Die steiLug qualities of your loao* ■'ci's.n'j), wuiou coiltriouted so eiiect-iv-eiy iiierco. I cannot retrain from a personal word to tell you how deeply i ap jiectaie your i.imeaiynig patleiice, die skill and tact Maeiewil.h you ve led us through difficult weeks, we ate also grateim lot tne lio.-.jji-fality of your Government which by no means was perfunctory, 'out an expression of genuine desire lo make us feel at homo, “we sign this treaty with the realisation flint it fixes

our naval relationship with the British Commomveultu of nations ou a J'air lasting basis and that it is equally advantageous lo us ail. ]t ac-o establishes our naval relationship with ou good neighbour across the Pacific and ensures a continuous growth of friendship with a nation whereto wo have come to look for stability and progress in the Far East. We are happy we participated with Franco alld Italy ill a solution of some important general problems u«i|cl glad to know as we separate

that it is their purpose to continue the discussions in the hope of soon completing a Five Power agreement of naval restriction, the fundamental purpose wherewith the American delegation came to London, which was to help the promotion ,-of a good relationship between the nations.

It is our belief that the limitation oF armaments by mutual agreement is one of the most effective methods of increasing each nation’s confidence belief of limitation increases. The sein others of pacific intentions as the curity we will look forward periodicaly to recurring conferences, . confident in that way w-e shall obtain ever increasing security with ever decreasing armament. Mr Stimson Continued we believe

that the naval limitation is one of the accuratest measures of the world's belief in the possibility of settling all international matters by Pacific rational means. Experience here strengthened those beliefs and increased our hope that civilisation is well able to form a habit settling peaceably questions of controversies an,cl that limitation will in future register this increasing confidence and goodwill.

Great encouragement was bound in the sincerity of spirit and fair dealing wherewith we were met by other delegations from whom we received the utmost consideration, of our own problems. In departing we pledge for the future as we did upon arrival our 1 utmost co-operation towards tho great ends that brought us here.

FINAL SITTING

LONDON, April 22

At the opening of the final Plenary Naval Conference, Air MacDonald explained the original draft treaty contained part two dealing with the method of relation of computing tonnages between statements submitted some time ago bv France and Britain at Geneva, whereat an agreement had not been possible, but had reached this conference, it was felt further consideration. The best way to deal with that part of the draft treaty would be for him as chairman to transmit it to the secretariat of the League of Nations, to ask him to draw special attention of the preparatory commission thereto as a finding of this conference. It would be accompanied Iby an explanatory letter.

The Conference agreed to the suggestion of Mr MacDonald, who said the Washington Treaty provided for a further conference in 1931. As a matter of fact this conference anticipated the 1931 conference which therefore upheld the work this conference would not be carried and the next conference would be bold in 1935 unless events meantime take place of such a happy character as not to require it. This auks agreed

Air MacDonald said the heads of deUhgptions decided that itfie hiosts convenient titles would be London Naval Conference, and London Naval Treaty of 1930. This was approved. In a final address as chairman, Air AlacDonald said we had gone as far we can at present. We had met to gather points of agreement and embody them in a treaty compared with Washington and Geneva. AVe have not progressed as far as compared with out desires. We were stil lshort of this ibut it is another stage of our work. AVe have continued tackling problems which baffled us. On one thing wo can congratulate ouserlves. Everyone in conference knows how again and again a mistaken word or awkward handling could have created a troubled situation, which would not have allayed speedily, yc-t we part in a spirit of active .goodwill, determined to make this the beginning and use every means of offering to make a Five Power treaty a reality. The Conference had done great work. AVe’ve secured three-power agreement. The insoluble difference of opinion, hitherto accompanying attempts to settle relative naval strengths had disappeared. Mr AlacDonald. after summarising the achievements of the conference continued: We have gone much fur' tlier than was thought possible. Mr MacDonald continued : Tho public probably are unappreciative of bow much will he effected in reduction of building programmes, which is almost

as valuable as scrapping. AVe found the navies at a pome ol dangerous expansion, nations being at tho fatal moment, by a process of mental delusion, again reducing the ami-war security by increasing armaments. While that wisp is followed the conic re i ice must uni or only partially -succeed. We must strengthen the

new mentality ol peace aim apply ii lo furtnor reducLions. Such progress should be possible in 198(j, whereto the Deary is extended. Britain lias achiev-

ed a security pact \udi Anie.i.a an Japan but until the European silmi

tmn wrucii is huruor to settle, was re

soiveu oy an agreement, every bo.m in limited scope must bate the protection ol a sateguariling clause, bueii

a clause was no. inserted as an easy way to get round the treaty, but would a.. iy i,e used a tier every enoi L to avoid it. Only when it was apparent l>iiDun s naval position was so affected ny sbijps bunt or cuuteinpliucU by Oimor j-owers, was recourse nad to toe pro Lection.

Air j.iacDonald, speaking with the utmost earnestness said: "jir.tain win strive might and main to prevent this arising, She has every hope an underspuming will result Jrom conversatioi.s ol a post adjournment coni ore nee maxing any use ol the Protection Clause unnecessary. 1 appeal to public opinion ol Europe to range n&ell behind those conducting these negotiations, No one nation can take a way chsarmamentwards, winch is only possible by international agreement. After tributmg the friendship and mutual understanding engendered by tlie Conference, Mr MacDonald thanked delegates and experts, for their forbearance and helpfulness, and said tin Americans had been enthusiastic colleagues, as had the Japanese, though nevertheless stoutly defending then national needs. The French, despite political distractions had given unstinted assistance. 'The last complete agreement demonstrated they fully enlisted the cause of peace, and would continue negotiations directed toward, success.

Signor Grandi’s illness precluded his presence. 'The Italians, despite theii difficult ’part ihad helped in evenother way than in discussing actual figures, and would depart determiner to seek a means of producing a general agreement towards European ■ disarmament.

Mr MacDonald presiding at the final Plenary Conference prior to signing the Three-Power Treaty, declared the Conference compared with Washington and Geneva had progressed far, but compared with their desires was still short. He thanked the participants and urged a continuance of activities in: the direction of peace. He added that the Dominions while jealously guarding the independent position showed a sleepless desire to maintain the concert which was essential to an agreement. He explained that the 1931 conference was abandoned in favour of a resumption in 1935.