Norwich bulletin., 1921-11-14
BRITISH COMMENT ON
 PROPOSALS OF HUGHES

London, Nov. 14.-The Daily Chroni- cle, remarking that Secretary Hughes has added a rider to the usual concept that policy governs ornaments, namely, that armaments also affects DO icy, con tends that until the political fires are eX- tinguished no reduction in armaments however ingenious and sincere, can hope to endure.
 Secretary Hughes" says the Chroni- cle, thinks that the two parts, the re- duction of armaments and a political settlement, may proceed simultaneously He may be right At any rate, 1t is great thing on the very first day of the conference to have brought down so big a quarry to discuss. It is better so than to hold up the design of the superstruc- ture, as they did at Paris, while they had dug deep the foundations Of the covenant"
 The newspaper says the world is in debted to the United States for its oroao humanity and incisive vigor
 Tt is our English way to turn over very critically all proposals affecting the strength of the navy, but it should be said at once apart from certain re- serves on account of the vastness of the sea areas we have to patrol, the Amerl- can proposals strike us as quite fair to ourselves. Whether Japan will accept Anglo-American superiority of four to one remains to be seen.
 "She is quite capable of presenting her own case. but we do not think her case will be to whittle down the proposed reductions. More probably she will ar gue that they do not go far enough and that there are other clements Of naval power than of the number of ships"
 The Times treats the proposal with sympathetic admiration, but emphasizes that it will have to be carefully consid- cred.
 By the very boldness with which it has thrown aside the traditions of old fashioned diplomacy" says the Times, "it immediately captured the imagination of the people of the United States. We believe that In many respects 1t will ap- peal not less forciby to the peoples of Europe.
 Like all schemes for carrying out large policies the plan demands mature examination by the governments of the nations whose security and interests it deeply concerns. It demands very heavy sacrifices from all, but all will cheerful y submit thereto if submission plainly pro- notes the end in view"
 Tt may conceivably be found that the scheme is over bold" says the Daily Telegraph, but it holds up such a mag nificent ideal that it vii awaken greater enthusiasm among those who passion ately long for the world to get it's feet well set upon the true path of peace.
 "The conference opened with a noble and dramatic stroke on the part of Pres ident Harding and Secretary Hughes It is not the habit of America to do things by halves, and on this occasion the United States has astonished and inn pressed the world by her audacity and by the grand sweep of iier prcna sals
 The Telegraph thinks that no hurried judgment is possible on such tremendous l proposals but believes that all the na. , tions concerned, including Japan, vii 1 appreciate the courage which dictated them
 However" 1t adds, "the naval ex- perts of the three powers will have tC consider the scheme in all it's bearings and we should not disguise from our selves that some may find it very hart to bring themselves to consent to scra] naval programmes to which they hav' looked for the advancement of their na tional ambitions. Very searching ques tions will be addressed to those in charg of the destinities of Japan if they ar asked to be content with a permanen naval strength of 300,00O tons, as com par d with the 500,000 of Great Britail and America"
 The Morning Post says
 We would say at once that accept Rnce by England of such proposal mus In all good faith depend upon the meas ure of agreement eventually attained b. the conference. We cannot doubt tha
 America perfectly appreciates the uniqu geographical position and economic re quirements of the British Empire. whic Involve the necessity of securing yer long ines of communication, irrespec tive of the necessity of possessing
 main fighting fleet"
 The Post thinks that the scheme wi require careful scrutiny, and that
 might have been expected that the Amer
 lean government would have deferre
 the production of the detailed schem
 until the delegates to the conference ha
 arrived at common understanding.
 The Daily News says that a despair
 Ing world has been shown the way ( salvation.
 The path that was missed at We,
 sailles," it adds, ''is revealed ono l again at Washington, broad an straight. Secretary Hughes chaleng, , Is direct and cannot be avoided. It for the peoples to see that it is nc
 avoided. Britain at any rate must me, 7 It fair and square.
 : There is much more to be done 7 Washington in the elimination of diffe, ences in the Pacific but in the forefron the keynote and test of the nations bor aides, stands this scheme for the arre of competitive naval armaments."