DISARMAMENT

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 215, 11 October 1929, Page 9

DISARMAMENT

(British Official Wireless).

THE JOINT STATEMENT.

No Better Conclusion Possible.

(Received This Day. Noon). RITGBY, Oct. 10. The tone of the Hoover-MacDonald statement indicates that a propitious atmosphere has been created for tlie future consideration of teehnical problems, a solution of wliich will materially advance the cause of disarmament. The statement points out that they had been guided hy double hopes of settling their own dift'erences on tlie naval inatters and so establisliing unclouded goodwill, candour and confidence, and also of contributing some thing to the solution of the problem of peaee, in which all the other nations are interested and which calls for their co-operation. Botli their Gbvernments vesolve to accept the Peace Pact, not only as a declaration of good intentions, but as a positive obligation to direef their policies in accordance with its pledge on the parb of each Government in the promotion of world peace. Ono would never consent to become entangled in European diplomacv and the other is resolved to pursue a policy of active eo-operation with its European neighbours, hut each will direct its thoughts and influence towards securing and maintaining the p.eace of the world. . , , ,, Tlie statement mention.s that other naval Powers have been kept informed of the progress of the Anglo-Ameri-can convereations and recognises that their co-operation is essential to an agreement on naval armaments. Conversations with tlie_ other Powers eoncerned would he continued fo romove diffieultics hefore formal negotiations hegin. C0NTR1BUTI0N TO HISTORY. The statement adds, "In view of the socurity afforded by tlio Peace Pact, we have heen ahle to end, we trust for ever, all competitive building between ourselves with the risk of war and waste of publie monev involved, hy agreeing to parity of our fleets, categor.v hy categor.v." Commenting on the statement, _ the Times says tliat tlie document, jomtly signed hy an American President and a British Prime hlinister, is itself a contribution to history, tlie significance of which needs no understanding, and adds, "It is no catalogue of detailed ' conclusion's, but a hopeful preface to a more intensive studv of intcrnational relations, in wliicli disarmament will he linked with a fundamental re-survey of functions of tlie fleets in tlie future and of conceptions of BPcnritv that sliould properly determino them. No better achievement could have heen demanded from tliese memorahle meetings.'' At the station at Wasliington Miss Islibel MacDonald received numerous baskets- of flowers^