NAVAL ARMS PARLEY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 529, 5 December 1928, Page 11

NAVAL ARMS PARLEY

Britten, Undismayed by Criticism, Says Conference Door is Opened

SUPPORT FROM COMMITTEE (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Redd. 9.10 a.m. WASHINGTON, Tuesday. MR. BALDWIN’S reply to my cablegram opens the door for another disarmament conference,” Naval-Affairs Chairman F. H. Britten told the Naval Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives.

TVTR. BRITTEN caused a stir the other day by privately communicating with the British Prime Minister, suggesting that legislators of the United States and Britain should meet in France to discuss naval disarmament. He based his observations to the committee on Mr. Baldwin’s words, “I cordially reciprocate . the spirit which inspired your suggestion, and I share your earnest desire for a complete understanding between our two countries." UNANIMOUS SUPPORT Mr. Britten advised his colleagues that he had not trespassed upon any Government prerogatives by his direct appeal to Mr. Baldwin, He said he aimed only to further the desires of the public of the United States, England and other nations for relief from armaments difficulties and avoidance of a naval competition race, and he had sought to promote these ends by getting another arms conference. The House Naval Committee unanimously supported Mr. Britten’s proposal for a conference and adopted a resolution by Representative Fred M. Vinson: “That the cominittee reiterate its often-expressed desire to extend the 5- —5 —3 ratio principle of the Washington agreement to all classes of naval ships.’*’

Representative Andrews said the adoption of the resolution would not impede the cruiser Bill which is pending in the Senate. This Bill provides for the building of 15 cruisers and one aircraft- carrier, and its adoption is advocated by President Coolidge. PERSONAL DISCUSSIONS Mr. Britten told the committee that in communicating with Mr. Baldwin he was under the impression that the Prime Minister’s statement last November, advocating more frequent personal discussions between American and British representatives, applied to the representatives of the people, not to diplomats. He explained that his communications were intended to be private, but Mr. Baldwin’s reply said the British Prime Minister was speaking not of legislators, but of executives. Representative Vinson asked if it would not be proper to ask Mr. Coolidge to call a conference between the leading Powers, hut Mr. Britten replied that he believed some other nation would call a meeting before 1931. Mr. Britten said he had purposely avoided communicating with the State Department, as the United States had already done its utmost to obtain limitations, and thought its legislators should not now take the initiative.