ARMS LIMITATION

Wairarapa Age, 14 February 1927, Page 5

ARMS LIMITATION

COMMENT ON AMERICAN PROPOSALS. VARIED POINTS OF VIEW. OPPOSITION IN FRANCE. To-day’s cablegrams show that President Coolidge’s new .armaments limitation proposals have occasioned interest in many countries. The proposals have been.received with gratification by League of Nations representations in Geneva. In London it is beingpointed out that any action Britain may take in the matter must be based en consultations with the Dominions. LONDON, February 12. (Received Sunday, 5.5 p.m.) President Coolidge’s proposal continues to attract attention. The "Daily Telegraph” points out that as far as Britain is concerned, it is apparent that the naval problems to which President Coolidge refers concern not only us but the population of the Dominions. They were represented at the Washington Conference and any action which this country should take must be in full harmony with tho younger nations. The "Daily Express” hopes there will be no attempt to ignore or repudiate Mr. Coolidge’s friendly gesture.—(A. and N.Z.)

LEAGUE CIRCLES GRATIFIED. A MOVE TO GENEVA. (Received Sunday, 5.5 p.m.)? GENEVA, February 12.. President Coolidge’s proposals were most unexpected, but were received with the greatest gratification in League circles. They are regarded asthe greatest single advance hitherto made for world disarmament. They are tantamount to transferring the discussion of naval disarmament from Washington to Geneva.—(A. and N.Z.) THE JAPANESE VIEWPOINT. A reference; to Singapore. (Received Sunday, 5.5 p.m.) TOKIO, February 12.. The keynote of vernacular Press comment regarding the disarmament proposal is that it will be welcomed in principle, though it is regarded as difficult of achievement. The application of the five-five-three ratio to all classes of vessels is unanimously opposed. There is an underlying feeling that the proposal is closely connected with American internal politics. The "Asahi” considers that the first step should be spiritual armament limitation, in which it includes the suspension of the construction of the Singapore naval base and the modification of American immigration legislation, which the paper regards as disturbing’ elements.—(A., and N.Z.)

DOUBTS IN FRANCE, OPPOSITION TO SMALL CRAFT LIMITATION. (Received ( Sunday, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, February 11. The Press receives Mr. Coolidge’s proposals coolly, considering the limitation of small cruising craft damaging to France. "Le Temps” expresses an opinion that the proposals are essentially those of a country not fearing land attack. France is determined to solve the disarmament problem, via Geneva, not Washington, on the basis that naval, military and air forces are inseparable, while war potentiality, including population resources, industrial development and geographical situation, must also be considered.—(A. and N.Z.) GERMAN APPROVAL. (Received Sunday, 5.5 p.m.) BERLIN, February 11. A Foreign Office spokesman welcomes President Coolidge’s proposal. He states that he believes the United States is most qualified to assume tho initiative in disarmament, because it has no- axe to grind.—(A .and N.Z.) ITALY’S STANDPOINT. (Received Sunday, 5.5 p.m.) ROME, February 11. It is practically assured that Italy will accept Mr. Coolidge’s invitation, though she is certain to claim equality with France in naval building.—(A. and N.Z.)