New-York tribune., 1921-11-16
Asq,litll Says
British I People
!, Hail Deliyere1'
hughes Program Declared a
: !, Longer Step in Advance
y Than Has Been Taken in
{ All of Last Three Years
Labor Joins in Approval
Barnes Asserts Way World
: Z Has Waited For Since War
J. Ended Has Been Opened

81 ---------------------
scLoNDON. Nov. 15 (By The Associ~
atcd Pressl.-Former Premier Asauith,
leader OF the Liberal party, in speech
here to-day declared twas with unspeak
able relief that the people of England
had read the accounts of what had
transpircd in Washington during the
last few days.
He declared that in the course of
single week longer step had been
taken in advance than in the whole
of the last three years. The proposals
aavarced by the American government.
ne sdded. would be received with una
nimity by all the nations of the world
rs providing a means of escape from
The irtolcrablc burden of ornaments
which the world has had to bear.
Mr.. Asquith, who was speaking at
the opening of the War Memorial
Library Of the Architectural Associa-
tier, crooked storm of applause when
he said in the course of his remarks:
an my Judgment the problem of
nava, disarmament lies at the thresh-
old of new and better future. The
proposals which are now put forward
By the government of the United
States offer for the first time a prac-
tical prospect of deliverance, both for
ourselves and for every great, and
sven small. nation of the world.
Path Cleared for Next Step
81 trust and believe that these pro-
uosals~ will be welcomed and embraced
by all here, and indeed by the whole
sivilized world. not only in spirit and
iatention, but as affording a workable
scheme whereby, without any sacrifice,
tn,<h <hn, Nf a,> ~
will find Immediately an ever-increas-
ing relief from what has become an in
tolerab!e burden. Be assured of this
that if this proposal, in the shape
which it will ultimately assume, is once
put into active operation the road will
be clear for further and even longer
steps toward the goal which we had
before our eyes throughout the war"
George Nicoll Barnes, Labor Mem
Der Of Parliament and former member
Of the Cabinet. in letter to "The
London Times" sets forth the position
Of labor respecting the proceedings at
Washington. The American govern
ment, he says, has boldly taken the
of the League of Nations and has
struck a chord which will find ready
: response in the mind and heart of
( labor throughout the world.
Secretary Hughes's way is the way
J for which the masses of the people
S have been waiting ever since the ter
mination of the war, he continues, and
argues that the American proposals
must be supported against the interests
which may presently be raising their
voices in protest.
Mr.. Barnes advocates even buying
f. off the armament interests, if neces-
lot to
'plants to the bottom of the sea.
/ British Position Improved
/. He contends that the Hughes plan
will leave England in better posi-
ton now and at the end of a decade
than if the pro- jected American, British
and Japanese programs had been COM
equal of America, which has double
England's population.
THE Daily Mail" declares there is
everything to be said for Mr.. Balfour's
suggestions before the Washington con-
ference, as submarine warfare is most
inhuman, adding: "It is a great gain
for world peace that England, America
and Japan are anxious to end naval
competition"
Mr.. Balfour's proposed notifications
of the American proposals are received
very unfavorably by the Liberal press.
"The Westminster Gazette" says his
statement gives cause for 'the very
gravest misgivings and dlsappolnt-
ment."
"The reservation that restricted
program of battleship replacement be
carried on from year to year in orde T
to save the armament works from GO
ing to rot would be direct attack
upon the essential principle of the
American scheme," says the paper
"The best hope for the world is that
this specialized plant will go to rot and
that at the end of decade it may seem
worth nobody's while to put it in order
again. In any case, even if we should
have to put it in order, Great Britain
would be at no disadvantage as com
pared with either America or Japan"
"The Daily News" says regarding the
suggestion that replacement be per-
mitted continuously on fixed scale
This seems a very dangerous breach
in the whole conception of a naval
holiday, which might we'll prove fatal
to the American proposals. Surely, one
of the prime objects of the holiday is
to bring in question at the end of it
the wisdom or necessity of any replace
ments. 1t would not be surprising were
America to regard any such amendment
as defeating the whole object with
which her princely offer to destroy her
present enormous advantage in new
shlpouilding is made"
- The News" thinks that the British
public would support an absolute en-
oargo on submarines, the only argu-
ment against 1t being skepticism re-