LIMITATION OF ARMS

North Otago Times, Volume CVII, Issue 17748, 9 March 1927, Page 5

LIMITATION OF ARMS

-Pres'o AsGooietlon— ■

i BRITAIN AND JAPAN READY TO TALK. \ OTHERS ARE NIBBLING.

'( Gable—

•00D7figtit V

XAuBtralicn fcnd N.Z. Presa Association.) Received Tuesday 10 p.m. WASHINGTON, March 7. It is understood that the British and Japanese Governments are ready to discuSs with the United States the question of the advisability of holding a three-power conferenice designed to conclude a treaty placing a further limitation on tbe construction of warships. A British notification to that effect is expected hefore the end of'the week while the Japanese is expected within a fortnight. There is furthermore some hope that France and Italy may ultimately join such a conference principally because the conditions outlined in President Coolidge's original memorandum/ havfe heen considerably explained. \ The memorandum intimated the possible adoption of a 5 5 3 ratio for auxiliaries. and the scrapping of a number of such existing vessels It is now made (clear that the United States wishes the proposed conference to he conducted on the broadcst lines. The United States had no ! intention of suggesting that the participating Powers should bind themselves in advance to any formula. The United States furthermore in no way desires to suggest any scrapping programme, but rather stresses a desire to reach an agreement on the limitation of further construction. It intimates that President Coolidge seeks only to have the naval powers forege.fher for tbe purpose of discussing a possible standard v/hich could be applied to such a limitation. Indications that France and Italy may reconsider their reje(ctions cf the proposal continue to multiply. It is now learned that the Italian Embassy sent a representative to the State Department to offer an explanation which it is believed is designed to soften Italy's refusal of the invitation.