EDUCTION OF ARMAMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 42, 8 February 1908, Page 3

EDUCTION OF ARMAMENTS.

BRITAIN'S POSITION. DEBATE IX THE COMMON'S. A STATESMAN S SPEECH. Received Feb. 7, 10.50 p.ni. London, February 7. in the House ot Commons, the Hon. , P. Smith moved an amendment renting that the British plenipatenn** to the Hague were unauthori**J forward the reduction of international maments by assenting to the principle immunity (rum capture of the amy'* merchantmen except the carta ot contraband in war-time.

Sir Edward Grey, Foreign Secretary, id that u»til the Power* agreed 'o ch • redaction of armaments as was Ay to ■ti""""*' the apprehension of ir, the Government was bound to coaler the subject from the standpoint the filing situation. "Neutrals," he id, -hate no interest in enforcing the ivention in respect to enemies' prite property in war-time. Britain's ilitj to end a war depended entirely her sea power. II private property •re immune, the enemies' means of ■uaoaication would be open and uniturbed, and the right to a commerthl xkade would also be surrendered. H enemy's whole trade, in fact, would unmolested. It was difficult to ree iw hostilities would ever end. The irerament could not incur any risk in ninishing the navy's effective means coercing an enemy." The speaker was cheered, and the nendment withdrawn.