The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-14
LONDON PAPERS
ARE SURPRISED BY
j. S. PROPOSALS
English Inclined to Reserve
Judgement on Hughes Of
fer-Magnificent Ideal,
Says Telegraph


London, November 1S-Over-
whelming surprise and disposition
to reserve immediate judgment
seems to be the keynote Of the COM
ment in the London morning papers
on the proposals of the American
Secretary of State at the Washing
ton conference.
1T may conceivably be found that
the scheme is over bold" says the
Daily Telegraph, but 1t holds up
such q magnificent Idea that II Will
awaken greater enthusiasm among
those who passionately long for the
world to get it's feet well set upon
the true path of peace.
THE conference opened with a no
BILE and dramatic stroke on the part
Of President Harding and Mr.. Hughes.
1t is not the American idea to do
things by halves and on this oeca-
sion tho United States has aston
ished and impressed the world by her
andacity and by the grand sweep OF
her proposals"
The Telegraph thinks that no hur-
ried conclusion is possible on such
tremendous proposals. but believes
that all the nations concerned, in
Guiding Japan, will appreciate the
courage which dictated them.
However" 1t adds, the naval ex-
ports of the three powers will have to
consider the scheme in all its bear
ings, and we should not disguise from
ourselves that some may find it very
hard to bring themselves to consent
to scrap naval programmes to which
they have looked for the advance
ment of their national ambitions.
Very searching questions will be adj
dressed to those In charge Of the des-
tinies of Japan IL they arc asked to
be content with a permanent naval
strength of 100000 tons, as compared
with the 100000 each of Great Brit
ain and America"
The Morning Post says:
we would say at once that ac-
oeptance by England of such pro-
posal must in all good faith depend
upon the measure of agreement even
tually attained by the conference. We
cannot doubt that America perfectly
appreciates the unique geographical
position and economic requirements
the necessity of securing very long
Lines Of communication Irrespective
of the necessity OF possessing a main
fighting fleet"
| The Post thinks that the scheme
will require careful scrutiny. and
that it might have been expected that
the American government would have
deferred the production Of the de-
tailed scheme until the delegates to
. L.. g.. L. 4 II
mon understanding.
1t further suggests that a naval
holiday would involve the sub sidlzing
of armament establishments during
the interval otherwise it would be
impossible to reinforce the fleet in
case OF emergency and expresses the
view that the chief business of the
conference is to discover the best
means OF satisfying Japan's economic
needs for her surplus population, and
to this end thinks 1t purely TO Amer
lean interests that Japan should con
tinue to be the ally of Great Britain.
The Daily News says that a de-
spairing world has been shown the
way of salvation.
THE path that was missed at YER
sailles," 1t adds. lis revealed once
again at Washington. broad and
straight. Secretary Hughes challenge
is direct and cannot be avoided. 1t is
for the people to see that 1t is not
avoided. Britain, at any rate, must
meet 1t fair and square.
There is much more to be done at
Washington in the elimination of diff
ferences in the Pacific, but in the
forefront, the keynote and test of the
nations bona fides, stands this
scheme for the arrest of competitive
naval ornaments"
The Westminster Gazette declares
that the proposal is magnificent and
Continued on Page Two)