BRITAIN’S VIEW.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 November 1921, Page 5

BRITAIN’S VIEW.

SYMPATHY WITH PLAN. CO-OPERATION PROMISED. MR. BALFOUR’S SPEECH, Washington, Nov. 15. Immediately the formal business had concluded at the Conference to-day, Mr. A. J. Balfour (head of the British delegation), rose, and, speaking eloquently and gracefully, as is his wont, said that he was the first to respond to the great events of Saturday because he was a representative of a nation that was more -profoundly interested in naval matters than any other. He congratulated Mr. Hughes on,/the fact that he had added a new anniversary to history. November 11 had been hailed as marking the end of the war, and so November 12 would be held in grateful retrospect as the date of the beginning of a movement, not only to restore peace conditions, but also to' see that war conditions should never recur. He counted himself among the fortunate ones on the earth'at being present. Mr. Hughes had admirably kept his secret. (Laughter). Mr. Balfour said that as he listened to Mr. Hughes he became aware that he was assisting in a great historical event. The proposals were presented with such art that it came as a profound shock and surprise when they realised that a new chapter in the history of the world was being worthily opened. SCHEME FULLY ACCEPTED.

Mr. Balfour then proceeded to compare the position of the British Empire, dependent on food supplies from overseas, with that of the United States, solid, impregnable, self-sufficient, wholly free from the particular perils which the British Empire had to face. These matters were remembered by her enemies; let them not be forgotten by h«- frinds. The British delegation, having considered the scheme with admiration and approval, agreed with it in spirit and in principle. They considered it -the basis of the greatest reforpi in armaments ever conceived or carried out. It was folly to pretend that this, or any scheme dealt with any subject. For the time , being it omitted the consideration of the conditions of other nations and did not touch the heavy burden of land armaments.

Britain was in heartiest and fullest sympathy with the policy of the United States, which rightly took the battle fleet, and complementary vessels as the basis of discussion. They thought the proportion of tonnage acceptable and the limitation reasonable. They thought it should be accepted, and believed it would be accepted. It would have Britain’s full, loyal and complete co-operation. (Prolonged applause).

DETAILS TO COME LATER. It would be ill-fitting to go into details which could only be dealt with adequately in committee. The British experts were inclined to think that too large an amount of tonnage was permitted for submarines, which class of vessel was most easily abused and which wgs» most abused during the great war. It might be practicable and desirable to forbid altogether the construction of super-submarines, which were for offensive purposes, and confine that arm of the navy to defensive purposes alone. There were also the querti-ons of the manner of replacements and the tonnage of cruisers not connected with, and not required for, fleet, action. The main plan was not affected by these considerations. Whatever happened that structure remained clear and firm. There wa<s something in the schi'me beyond mere financial and economic considerations. The United States had shown the way wherein wars might be diminished and the burdens of peace lightened. Their scheme makes idealism a practical proposition. In striking the imagination of the whole world by the manner in which the United State* had shown this they made the first day of the conference one of the landmarks in human civilisation. (Cheers). Mr. Balfour concluded his moving address by reading a telegram from Air. Lloyd George, announcing that the British Government had followed the proceedings with profound appreciation and whole-heartedly endorsed Mr. Balfour’s opinion of the speeches of President Harding and Mr. Hughes (already cabled). Nothing could occur better for the ultimate success of the conference.