NAVAL DISARMAMENT.

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXII, Issue 22, 21 February 1927, Page 5

NAVAL DISARMAMENT.

PROPOSED THREAT TO POWERS. AMERICA. CAN AND WILL BUILD. WASHINGTON, Feb. 19. The linking of the French war debt to the United States with disarmament occurred to-day, when following upon the passage through the House of Representatives of an appropriation of 75,000 dollars to defray the expenses of American participation in the preparatory disarmament conference at Geneva, Representative Begg urged. that France should be informed that in view of her refusal'of Mr Coolidge’s invitation, she is .expected to pay every cent of her obligations to the United States. Mr Begg, however, stated that the Powers should be given notice that if a spirit of co-operation for the reduction of armaments is lacking, the United States, can and ■will build a national defence sufficient to command the respect of . the world. Furthermore, money should- not be loaned to any nation not agreeing to sit at a conference to determine if it is not possible to reduce armament. (Received this day, 11.40 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Feb. 20. The State Department to-day publishes a Japanese note accepting the United States proposal for a supplemental naval disarmament conference at Geneva, stipulating that it be held not earlier than June and first stating that it is important for the success of negotiations that all parties approach the subject with an open mind, guided by the defensive requirements of each nation.