Progress of Conference

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 878, 23 January 1930, Page 9

Progress of Conference

NOTES AND COURTESY CALLS Praise For The King DISARMAMENT DELEGATES SATISFIED NOTABLE tributes have been paid in Europe and America to the manner in which King George interpreted the spirit and purpose of the Rive-Power Naval Conference in London, ilis Majesty has been described as “a Royal democrat.” Delegates have expressed satisfaction with the initial progress of the conclave.

United I*.A.—By Telegraph—Copyright Reed. 9.10 a.m. LONDON', Wed. Visits between tile heads of the delenations of the Five Power Naval Conference throughout the day were followed by over-night conversations. The interesting announcement was then made that the French delegates were delighted to find that the difference in viewpoints was not so great as might be imagined. Behind all today’s activities, lies the one desire, to explain points of view hitherto not clear. Thus the British and French delegates led off in the forenoon with a talk based on recent notes on which explanations have been exchanged. There has been a quick reaction in Paris to the effect of the conversations, which were marked by absolute mutual confidence. Directly the Frenchmen left, Mr. H. L. Stimsou (United States) was closeted with Mr. Rargsay MacDonald. Then Mr. Stimson visited Mr. R. Wakatsuki, and later the French and Japanese delegates conferred. Later in the afternoon Signor Grandi (Italy), sought Mr. MacDonald at the House of Commons and finally Mr. Wakatsuki had an informal discussion at Downing Street. The upshot of all this was a significant announcement that the British, French and Italians will meet tomorrow afternoon. This is interpreted as a general desire to explore at the earliest the quarter where the difficulties are most likely to arise. A formal Foreign Office announcement says the Anglo-French delegates reviewed the points raised in recent Notes. They are again meeting on Friday to elucidate certain points. When this is achieved, the Americans, Japanese and Italians will be called in for consultation. The Americans proclaim themselves quite satisfied with the progress made to date. COMMENT FROM THE CONTINENT The Continental Press variously values the opening speeches, but the consensus of opinion is that there is a hopeful outlook. “Le Petit Parisien” says: “The King well knew what he was doiirg. He knew that by this sacrifice of naval supremacy, he was saving the Empire. It was a great moment and produced a great man.” It is generally agreed that no conference ever was opened in a more friendly atmosphere. The French delegates seem to be highly gratified at the manner in which national needs were brought to the forefront. Newspapers of all shades of opinion in England welcome the conference and cordially approve the opening speeches. The “Daily Telegraph” describes the conference as an event which under Providence will leave its mark on history. It lays stress practically on only one point, namely, Mr. MacDonald’s reference to diminishing military power in proportion to the increase in political security. To estimate the extent and worth of that increase, says the “Telegraph,” will be the moral problem for the conference. That it has value cannot reasonably be questioned. But to translate a recognition of that truth into terms of disarmament by agreement can hardly be an easy or a brief affair. It is satisfactory to note that the Prime Minister refrained from optimistic generalities in that connection. MUST PRESERVE SECURITY The “Morning Post” says it is grateful to the King and Mr. MacDonald for expressing the nation’s feelings about the navy, its achievements, its traditions and what it means to the people. If we rightly understand, says the paper, no reduction will be accepted which will diminish the national security. That would be what the nation expects from the Government. The “Daily Chronicle” says there is nothing whatever to prevent a successful issue except the delegates themselves or the Government behind them. Hundreds of millions of people have given the delegates their mandate. The “Daily News” says the conference would not have been possible but for the marked change in public opinion as regards national armaments. Statesmen had been slow to note the change and had lagged behind. The paper offers its good wishes, especially to those who are about to enter the battle against the 35,000-ton, £8,000,000 battleship, the most frightful of all the developments of the Fisher epoch. SINCERITY THE TEST “The Times” says: The King faithfully interpreted the feelings of his subjects in making the conference the occasion of his first appearance at a public State function since his illness. Nothing which touches naval defence of our small island and scattered Empire leaves us unmoved. It is not expected that the conference will devise mutually acceptable formulas for general, permanent disarmament. Its task is more simple, namely, to agree to an actual minimum of construction which, in the five or six years, will give each of the Powers the reasonable security desired without imperilling that of others. The “Daily Herald” asks: Will the delegates, when it comes to the brass tacks of gunnage and tonnage be true to the words spoken yesterday? Success depends upon sincerity, courage and readiness to take risks for peace boldly as men took risks for the sake of war. There -was no mistaking the will of the peoples of the world. PRAISE FROM U.S.A. KING DESCRIBED AS “ROYAL DEMOCRAT” NEW YORK, Wednesday. The ‘Yew York Times.” in a leading article entitled “A Royal Demo-

crat." comments upon King George's | address at the opening ot the Naval 1 Conference. It emphasises the sim-1 plicity of his Majesty’s citizen-like ! attitude. Proceeding, the paper says: "The i world has come to love peace. The trappings of war have no place at such meetings. None has more cause to love peace, or more inclination to respect democracy, than the ruler of the British Empire. “In his youth King George served in all grades of the British Navy, and there is yet to be found a shipmate, of whatever class, who accuses him of ‘side.’ "No monarch in any age was more sincere in welcoming an effort for peace and in striking the note of democrarv than King George V.” A message from Washington says the President, Mr. Hoover, is thoroughly pleased with the propitious openiug of the conference. He expressed his delight at the clarity with which the King’s address was received by wireless at White House, in the gymnasium, where the President listened with members of the Oabinet. In Government circles thorough' satisfaction is expressed at the evidences of mutual confidence. Definite comments are withheld owing to the Government’s wish to permit its delegates to work with a free hand in London. SITTINGS IN CAMERA FOREIGN JOURNALISTS DISAPPOINTED LONDON, Wednesday. A number of foreign journalists, who have come to London for the Naval Conference, were disappointed to learn that the sittings will be private until decisions can be announced. It is gathered that this secrecy will he attacked by the Hearst newspapers in America. However, it is explained that there is no accommodation for the journalists in the conference room at St. James’s Palace, even if it were desirable for them to be present. In view of the wish of the delegates to express themselves freely. SERIOUS WORK BEGINS NATIONS TO STATE CASE British Official 'Wireless Reed. 1.10 p.m. RUGBY, Wed. The Fire Power Naval Conference begins its actual business tomorrow morning, when all the delegations will meet in full session at St. James's Palace. It is anticipated that at this sitting each delegation will make a brief, plain statement of its position. SUCCESSFUL BROADCAST KING HEARD WORLD OVER Reed. Noon. RUGBY, Wednesday. Reports from Europe and America speak uniformly of the success of the broadcast of the King’s speech and the other opening speeches at the London Conference yesterday. The United States and Canada rose early to hear it. It was 6 a.m. in New York when the broadcast began, and of course much earlier in San Francisco. In Australia the reception was not good. Varying success was reported from South Africa, and ip Capetown, where the Prince of Wales is staying with the Governor-General, the Earl of Athlone, the reception was imperfect. In Berlin, the listening centre for the Continent cities, the speech was received with great clarity and at excellent strength. Engineers at the British Broadcasting Corporation’s listening post could hear about two dozen continental stations rebroadcasting the speeches. Among the distant stations they picked up was Manila, in the Philippine Islands. In Great Britain an enormous audience listened, and in many schools the pupils assembled to hear the speech.