THE CONFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, 17 November 1921, Page 5

THE CONFERENCE

THE SITTING RESUMED, PROPOSALS TO DISARM. FAVORED BY POWERS. AGREEMENT EXPECTED. By Tel*craph.—Pre« Ana.—Copyrlrtt Washington. Nov. 15. With a democratic absence of formality, the second plenary session of the Conference opened in the presence of a large number of spectators, including many ladies. It was agreed, on the recommendation of the Armament Committee appointed at the first session, that a committee be appointed composed of al] the plenipotentiary delegates of the United ■States, British Empire, France, Italy, and ■l.pan. to examine and report to the full conference respecting armaments, .with power to appoint sub-committees. The Conference similarly agreed with the Pacific Committee’s recommendation for the appointment of a committee compoeed of all the plenipotentiary delegates from the nine nations, including the British Empire, to examine and report to the full conference regarding the Pacific and Far Eastern questions. There were no surprises to-day at the alesiary conference. Mr. Balfour announced the British Empire’s heartiest and fullest sympathy with the proposals of the United States, and promised full, loyal and complete co-operation. He did not go into details beyond those already indicated. Viscount Kato gladly accepted the principles of the proposals. Japan »vas ready to proceed with a determination for a sweeping reduction in naval armaments. Mr. Hughes, in adjourning the session, raid that disarmament went to the committee with the assurance that the outcome .of the conference would be an agreement which would mean that offensive naval war would be no more. ARMAMENT PROPOSALS. MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE. EXAMINING THE DETAILS. Received Nov. 16, 8.20 p.m. Washington, Nov. 15. An official communique states the first meeting of the committee on armaments rvas held this afternoon. There were present delegates from America, the British 'Empire. France, Italy and Japan. A sub-committee composed of one technical adviser of each of the five Powers fcvas constituted to take under immediate advisement the questions raised under the United States’ proposals, and to report progress from time to time. The sub-committee consisted of Mr. Roosevelt (chairman). Admiral Beatty (Britain;. Admiral Debon (France), Admiral Acton (Italy), and Admiral Kato (Japan-, with power of substitution. The British delegation also met separately to- discus- the conduct of business, methods of procedure and functioning. A general discussion on pieir attitude and various aspects of the yoafcreiK-e took place.

NAVAL PROPOSALS.

BRITISH EXPERT’S VIEWS. London. Nov. 14 Mr. Archibald Hurd, writing in the Daily Telegraph, says the proposals of the United States are statesmanlike. Amer ca. herself proposes big sacrifices but Britain is also asked to do much in abandoning the four new Hoods. Nevertheless we would be saved thirty million sterling, apart from the expend! lure on new docks. Britain is also asked to agree to a standard of naval States if the criterion of fighting value be tonnage plus age. Apparently at the end of the ten years’ holiday the United States will be entitled to lay down five capital ships, each of 35,000 tons, while Britain would have to hold her hands for a few years longer. It is inconceivable that Japan should hold out. Armaments are absorbing 52 per eent. df her revenue. She has everything to gain by an agreement with taa United States and BritainWhat of Germany? At present she is permitted to possess six battleship* of 13,000 tons. It ought not to be beyondthe powers of the Washington Conference to devise precautions against Germany which will safeguard the future. The American proposals do not affect light cruisers, but provision is made that eventually Britain and America will have a similar strength of cruisers And destroyers. This presumes that ’America, with 100 millions of people, has the same naval needs as Britain, •with 440 million*. Moreover, if sea (communication is interrupted. Britain •will be faced with starvation. But persmps the American plan does not rule t>ut the Dominion providing cruisers 'over those of Britain. If this is correct it offers hopeful promise of agrue-

MR. ASQUITH HOPEFUL. London, Nov. 15. ' Mr. Asquith, speaking in London and deferring to the Washington Conference, fa.id that, in a single week, a longer atep in advance had been taken than flaring the last three years. The American proposal would be accepted with nnannnitv bv all nations as providing the means of escape from the intolerable burden of armaments. In hie judgment the problem of naval disarmament lay on the threshold of a Hew and better Europe. ABOLITION OF SUBMARINES. London, Nov. 15. The Manchester Guardian, pointing ■out that the Washington scheme does toot touch the question of submarines, says there is reason to believe . that Britain would not altogether resist a proposal that all the Powers should scrap submarine- simultaneously. The public opinion of the world ought to be consulted on the question, because submarines are difficult to control and can be secretly constructed.