The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1921-11-15
DISCUSSIONS
IN COMMITTEE
rs THE POLICY
The Committee Will Report
to the Plellary Session,
According to Decision
Reached BY the Confer
ence, the Nations Giving
Their Assent


Associated Press) Great Britain's ac
ceptance in principle and spirit of tht
American proposals fer limitation Of
naval armaments formally was laid
before the arms conference to-day by
Arthur j. Balfour, heading the Brit
ish delegation.
Baron Admiral Kato's statementsof
Acceptance in the same sense for Ja-
pan followed.
Speaking for Italy, Senator Schan-
ger told the conference the American
plan had th- general approval Of his
government.
Premier BRAND, speaking fol. France,
declared the general adherence Of the
French government to the purposes OF
I the American plan.
Before hearing the statements OF the
delegations the conference adopted
unanimously the committee-of- the
whole plan worked out by the big five.
Just after the opening gavel, Mr..
Balfour conferred with Lord Beatty.
There was no prayer.
Announcing the program decision OF
ssIt is the intention of this commit
the big five, Secretary Hughes said;
tee consisting Of all plenipotsntiary
report to the plenary session" He
delegates to consider all matters and
then announced the plan as outlined
with respect to the Tar eastern ques-
tion.
MAY I ask IL these recommended
tions meet the sentiments of the con-
ference y the chairman asked. Heads
were nodded in approval and the pro-
gram was declared by Mr.. Hughes
adopted.
Mr.. Hughes took his seat while his
statement was repeated in French.
Mr.. Balfour's Remarks.
Mr.. Balfour said in substance:
"You have invited those who desired
it to continue the discussions which
began on Saturday last. / think it
very unfortunate il we are 10 allow
the events of Saturday to pass with
out some further observation.
"And if for reasons which l venture
to explain | am the first to take up the
challenge, il is because Of all mem
bers h--r assembled, the country which
j represent Is most intimately inter
estcd in all naval questions.
Great Britain and the British en-
pire are more profoundly concerned
with all that touches naval matters
than it is possible for other nations TO
be-
MANY in my audience are citizens
of the United States" he continued.
"The United States stands solidly inn
pregnable with the lines Of its COM
munications protected, completely pro-
tected-from any conceivable hostile
attack.
at is not merely that you have no.
100000 people; it is not that you are
the wealthiest nation. The geographi-
cal position Of your country makes YOU
wholly immune from the perils to
which the British empire is subjected.
Suppose your western states were
suddenly removed ten thousand miles
across the sea; suppose You found that
the heart of your country was small
and crowded island, depending on over
seas trade, depending on overseas com
munication for raw material. Sup
pose your population never had more
than seven weeks food and that this
had to be replenished from overseas.
"Then YOU will understand why it
is that every citizen of the British en-
pire no matter where he lives can new
CT forget that IL is by sea communi-
cation that be lives and that without
IL he cannot live
Greatest Reform Ever Known.
Mr.. Balfour said he did not want
the audicnsN to suppose that he was
~lamenting over the weakness Of my
country
Par from it, he exclaimed with
emphasis. I'VE are strong in hope and
in the ardent patriotism that binds US
together. But this strategic weakness,
obvious to everyone who reflects, Is
known to our enemies. Then. do not
let II be forgotten by our friends.
~These references have indulged in
70 explain why | an addressing you.
We have considered the great scheme
laid before You by our chairman. We
have considered it with ambition and
approval We agree with il in spirit
and in principle We look 10 i as
being the basis of the greatest reform
IN the matter Of armament and prep
aration for war c. les ever been
conceived OF carried out.
Il don't pretend. of cour-e. that this
o. auy other scheme can deal with ev-
A.. -