The New York herald., 1921-11-16
CABINET CLEARS
WAY FOR BALF0UR
He Will Be Permitted to De-
eide on Naval Matters
Without Hindrance.

Special Cable to THE New YORK HERALD.
Copyright, 1921, by THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
London. Nov. 15.
The Government is leaving the Wash
ington conference almost exclusively In
the hands OF A. j. Balfour and his col
leagues in Washington. The onus Of
the British decision to accept the Amer
lean plan for limitation Of naval arna-
ments is almost entirely Mr.. Balfour's,
the Cabinet contributing only the sketch
lest Eyes" to his report OF yesterday.
Mr.. Lloyd George and his Cabinet are
not willing, however, to leave the re-
sponsibility entirely to Mr.. Balfour when
it comes to the question of land arma-
ments, In which Great Britain's rela-
tons with France are so closely involved,
and when 1t comes to final discussion
OF the Far Eastern problems, in which
equally delicate relations with Japan
are concerned.
LONDON, Nov. 16, Wednesday (Asso-
ciated Press) Tho Daily MGiI declares
there Is everything to be said for Mr..
Balfour's suggestions before the Wash
ington conference, as submarine war
fare Is most inhuman, adding: "'It Is a
great gain for world peace that England.
America and Japan are anxious to end
naval competition"
Difficulty In Execution.
The Mail sees the chief difficulty in
the practical execution of the plans. II
suggests that other matters needing the
fullest consideration are limitation OF
fortified bases and docks and the ques-
ton of controlling the merchant service,
many ships OF which could be speedily
and easily converted into cruisers.
Mr.. Baifours proposed notifications
are received very unfavorably by the
Liberal press The Westminster Gazette
says that his statement gives cause for
"the very gravest misgivings and disap-
pointment."
THE reservation that restricted pro-
gramme of battleships replacement be
carried on from year to year in order
to save the armament works from going
to rot would be a direct attack upon the
essential principle of the American
scheme" says the paper. "The best
hope for the world is that this special
lied plant will go to rot and that at the
end OF decade 1t may seem worth
nODOuyS 3 Wnlie 10 put ~ III OiuSi aSdh'
In any case, even If we should have to
put 1t in order, Great Britain would be
at no disadvantage as compared with
either America or Japan.
1.-The suggested reservations amount
TO n proposal that we deliberately keep
alive not only the vested interests of
the war. but the whole spirit and ira
ditlon of international naval eompeti-
ton as q sacred flame. ready to burst
into full blaze the moment the holiday
e over. We are convinced that, If the
real issue is grasped, public opinion In
Great Britain will never consent to
pressing this reservation. which so
patiently knocks the bottom out of Secre-
tary Hughes's plan
The Daily Net1s says regarding the
suggestion that replacement be per-
mitted continuously on a fixed scale
This seems very dangerous breach in
the whole conception of q naval holiday
which might well prove fatal to the
American proposals. 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 shipbulding is made"
The Netcs thinks that the British pub
lie would support an absolute embargo
on submarines the only argument
against 1t being scepticism regarding
the possibility OF its enforcement.
The Morning Post is again antagonis-
tic to the proposals and dilates on Great
Britain's exceptional position, in the need
to protect all lines of communication. II
argues that ships can always be built
upon occasion and that what Is required
js to remove occasion for war, and in the
solution of that difficulty resides the
main purpose of the Washington con-
ference.
Japnncse settlement Needed.
"It is surely within the competence OF
the three great Pacific Powers" says
the Post. ito discover methods for meet
ing tho Japanese requirements"
The Post then asserts that Britain and
her dominions must be able to help one
another across the oceans unhindered
Moreover, Britain Is continental
Power with consequent responsibilities
which the Post contends, concern not
at all either America or Japan.
The Dolly Telegraph takes the view
that II England, America and Japan
reach an agreement IL matters little
what freedom In certain respects other
Governments may assert, and expresses
the opinion that the whole moral i'm
pulse OF the American people is behind
Mr.. Hughes's proposals.
The Telegraph thinks that England
should accept the risks of n naval holi-
day as she accepted greater risks in the
great war. I'VE could not reject the
offer" says the TELEGRAPH. ''accom.
panied as II Is by an act OF self denial
on the part Of America which has no
parallel"
Tho TeIcoroDG ctronpfv fa,tore tb,
idea mentioned by Mr. Bafour of ban
ming submarines, but thinks it point
for consideration whether the matter
should be pressed at the present stage,
and concludes that on the whole Mr.
Balfour correctly interpreted the sincere
aspirations OF his country.