BRITAIN'S DESIRE

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 72, 27 April 1929, Page 6

BRITAIN'S DESIRE

(British Official Wireless).

NEED FOR LIMITATION AND REDUCTION. Statement By Sir Austen Chamberlain.

RtGBl, April Jo. Sir Austen Chamberlain, replying to a question in the House of Commons rcferring to tlie statement made by Mr Gibson 111 the preparatory commission on clisarmaments, said tbe British Goveinment sliared fully the liopes and wisbes of tbe Government of the United States. The British Government, equally with the United States Government, desired not merely limilation hut reduction of naval arniamente Thev had, indeed, tliemselves made proposals for sueh general reduction, and that the reduction should be applied to every class of war vessel. "As between ourselves and the United States," said Sir Austen, "such a difference as has hitherto existed lias not beeu eoncerned with these great piinciples, nor with the relative strength of our respective navies, but v.ith the determination of the categories into whieh ships of war should be divided. On this point the British Government liave noted with mucli in tcrest the new criteria suggested by Mr Gibson. Tliey attach great importance to tbe possibilities opened by the greater elasticity given by liis suggestions for the adjustment of agreed naval strengths to tbe difi'erent c-ir-crmstances of tbe two Pow6rs. Finally, they desire to express their warm appreciation of the coi'dial and c-oncjlia-tory spirit sliown by the American delegation, and give an assurance that ic is in the same spirit and with the mcst earnest wish to reach a complete agreement that they will eonsider the American suggestions." In a hroadcasted speech from Bristcl, Mr Baldwin said, "You have heard Ihe importaut declaration of Mr Gibson made at Geneva on behalf of_ the United States Government. Mr Gibson declares tbat his Government's purpose is to secure not merely limitation but reduction of armaments ; also, they desire tbat reductions should be applied not to this or that class of war vessel orly, but to ever.y class. On behalf of His Majesty's Government, I make the same declaration. Tliis is, and has been throughout, our purpose and desire. We will co-operate cordiallv witb the United States in order to secure its general acceptance."