Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-07-12
Present Strained Stu
alton in Europe
! Holds NJ e n ace of
! War, Brought Out in
House of Lords De-
hate - New Air Pol
icy Govt. Approved
Criticism Over Pro-
posed ing apOr e
Base

London, July II (By A. P.)-1t
was disclosed in the House Of Lords
tonight that the government thinks
the present moment inopportune to
initiate an international conference
m the limitation of air ornaments,
The House was debating the motion
introduced by Lord Gorell. which
had been introduced in the House
NJ Commons by Edmund D. Nor
rell labor member, aimed at having
Great Britain join with the Ameri-
can government for such confer
ence.
The Marquis of Salisbury, Lord
President of the council, said that
the prime minister had already set
forth the governments desire to CO.
operate to the utmost with other ma
tons on the lines of the Washing
ton agreements for the limitation OF
air ornaments, but while the situa-
ton in Europe was so strained any
steps in that direction now would be
wholly fruitless, and there would be
almost a certainty to be misunder-
stood. When the situation was less
strained it might be possible to make
a move in the desired direction.
There was more open talk in the
course of the debate of the posi-
bties Of the danger of war than
has been heard in the upper house
for long time, which clearly re-
fected the anxiety felt on all sides
at the critical position developed by
Anglo-French relations.
The governments new air policy
was generally acquiesced in even by
liberal peers, like Grey and Haldane
hut at the same time they did not
conceal their apprehension at the
starting of new ornaments compe-
tltion.
The advisability of a new naval
base at Singapore again provoked
much adverse criticism. Lord Hal
cane asking the pointed question
whether it was aimed at Japan OF
the United States. Most of the
speakers ridiculed the idea that II
was directed against any individual
power and commended that sea power
was equally as important in the Far
East as in home waters.
iscount Grey strongly urged the
utilizing of the League of Nations to
counterfeit the ornaments COMPETE
ton. With regard to the naval base
at Singapore he still doubted whether
1t was an essential expenditure
While nobody dreamed it was aimed
against the United States, he thought
1t better frankly to admit that there
was contingency, however remote
Of war with Japan.
Looking to the past and present rel
iatlons of Japan and England and the
TACT That Japan was a participant in
tne Washington agreements, he
thought the contingency was so very
remote it hardly justified expenditure
and so far as Australia and New
zealand were concerned they could be
better protected through local bases
he greatly feared that this Singa-
pore policy so soon after the Wash
ngton conference would create sus-
plcion In America and make matters
worse.
>. Lord Grey asked whether the
Singapore base was in accordance
with the spirit of the Washington
o-NNhiShtS HG IlOl
press Tor reply would like the gov
eminent to say whether the Wash
ington agreement forbade other ma
IONS who We're not parties thereto
Hom responding with similar eXpen.
olture In the Pacific.
Inc Marquis of Salisbury here in
,erVened. protesting that so far as he
Knew there was no suggestion from
any government calling in question
e etner the letter of the spirit of the
Washington agreement in relation tc
singapore. The base at Singapore
W.; was prominently claimed by the Brit
ism at Washington.
LORD Grey. resuming, said that he
naa been told there was doubtful
ieeilng abroad and he wanted tt
eounter it. Finally he exhorted the
government to go slowly in commit.
ong itself to large contracts in con.
neetlon with Singapore until there
t "ds an opportunity of judging it's ef-
ACCT on the Washington agreement.
Lord Gorell's motion was negative6
without division.