Confidence Grows

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 646, 24 April 1929, Page 9

Confidence Grows

DISARMAMENT OUTLOOK American Idea Welcomed British Official Reed. 10.50 a.m. RUGBY, Tuesday. IT is understood that the Cabinet will give prompt consideration to the statement regarding’ naval reductions made yesterday by Mr. Hugh S. Gibson, the United States delegate to the Preparatory Commission for Disarmament at Geneva. In London the highest importance is attached to it, and satisfaction is shown in official circles at the unanimous welcome extended by the British Press to-day to Mr. Gibson’s speech and Lord Cushendim’s ready response.

TT is understood that the British authorities have no preconceived views ab to the procedure to be followed, and it is thought likely that ideas on this aspect of the question may be evolved in course of the conversations at Geneva. It is clear that the speeches of Mr. Gibson and Lord Cushendun as representatives of the United States and British Governments have generated a spirit of goodwill and accommodation, from which practical results are confidently hoped. Interest in Washington in Mr. Gibson’s naval armaments proposal at Geneva turns toward the realisation that the> effect of. America’s plans cannot be determined until Europe's reaction is known. As is pointed out in the United States official circles Mr. Gibson’s outline contains three important new factors. These are: (1) That there is a necessity for a reduction in the light of the Kellogg Pact; (2) that the United States, for \e first time, approves the French proposal for a flexible category for warships; and (3) that the United States wants to estimate naval values by other standards than displacement tonnage alone.

Lord Cushendun’s reported agreement with Mr. Gibson is believed in Washington to mark the final disposal of the Anglo-French naval accord. But, whether Mr. Gibson’s suggestion will lead to another three-Power naval conference or to an effort to reach a naval agreement through the machinery of the Preparatory Commission on Disarmament is not yet clear. IMPORTANT AGREEMENT GERM AND CHEMICAL WARFARE ABSOLUTE PROHIBITION (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Reed. 12.15 a.m. GENEVA, Tuesday. The Disarmament Preparatory Commission adopted a draft agreement absolutely prohibiting bacteriological warfare, and also prohibiting chemical warfare, under reciprocal conditions.