Deadlock Idea Scouted

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 103, 22 July 1927, Page 13

Deadlock Idea Scouted

British Naval Delegates Return High Hopes of Geneva Conference THE work of the Naval Limitations Conference at Geneva is suspended during the absence of the chief British delegates, Right Hon. W. C. Bridgeman and Viscount Cecil. They have returned to England to consult Cabinet, and have spoken optimistically about the possibility of an agreement. The Japanese Government has approved of the provisional agreement reached between Britain and Japan, and the United States experts are giving the question close examination-

British Wireless. — Copyright. Reed. 11.17 a.m. RUGBY, Thursday

Mr. W. C. Bridgeman, First Lord of the Admiralty, and Viscount Cecil arrived at London from Geneva last night, and will to-morrow report the progress of the conference to a meeting of Cabinet, which has specially summoned for the purpose.

The Prime Minister leaves for Canada on Saturday, and it was in view' of this, and, of the crucial phase in the negotiations reached by the conference that Cabinet suggested the return of the British delegates. It seemed desirable before final judgment w T as passed on the proposed compromise arrived at between the British and the Japanese delegates, that the latest information in the form of a personal report should be

available, not only # to the Ministers, but also to the Board of the Admiralty and to the Committee of Imperial Defence. Viscount Cecil scouted the suggestion of a breakdown in the conference. He added; “I am optimistic about it. There is nothing in the nature of a breakdown. I hope to be back again in Geneva in the course of a few days.” Reports from Geneva state that, while in the absence of the two chief British delegates the work of the conference remains in suspense, the American Relegation is still engaged on its calculations with regard to the probable effect of the proposed AngloJapanese compromise. The Japanese delegation is understood to have received from Tokio full approval for what was provisionally agreed upon.—A. and N.Z.