The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-02-16
Decline
GALS INVITATION
|. TO LIMIT ARMS
France, Italy and Japan
Shy at Trap
Continued from Page One)
Naval Minister Delighted.


"The note is perfect" said Min
ieter Of Marine Leagues. following
the cabinet meeting today, which
was attended by President Dou-
mergue.
M. BRAND, foreign minister, who
drafted the note, said it would pro-
badly be published late this after
noon or tomorrow
The reply, couched in diplomatic
terms and sympathetic in tone, is
nevertheless a rebuff for the Cool
idge proposals which may spell their
defeat.
Squelches Coolidge.
Minister of Interior Sarraut, the
rote says, points out firstly that
the League of Nations is now han
ding disarmament problems, and
secondly that naval disarmament in
terests all nations, not only the five
big powers"
France can't take the problem of
disarmament from the League OF
Nations-that is the gist of the
rc-a" sHid NJ. Sarraut.
The French reply leaves little in
the way of loophole for any coun-
proposals and in French circles
I is generally believed that it spells
the end of the Coolidge proposals.
Japan Polite-Butl
Japan is willing to participate in
President Coolidge's armament par
ley, Premier Wakatsuki told the gov
'rnment peers today, but it is impos-
sible for the government to cancel
The appropriation for three cruisers,
possibility now being considered
l,y the Diet.
The premier's statement was made
before the upper house of the Diet
and in answer to questions arising
N the Diet concerning President
oooidge's proposals.
The premier declared Japan's ma
val and military forces were at
minimum strength in order to pro-
vide adequate defense.
The government, however," he
said, "has decided 10 accept Presi-
dent Coolidge's invitation, because
Japan favors any move to preserve
peace and to avoid armament com
petition"
Cal Disappointed?
It was indicated in Washington
that Mr.. Coolidge was disappointed
1t the powers decision, and that he
expects but little from continued
discussions al Geneva under the au-
spices of the League of Nations.
Another Geneva meeting is sched-
llled for next month.
Next Step-If ANY.
What President Coolidge's next
step will be-if any-remains to
lie seen. He could propose, as sug-
gcsted year ago, that Great Brit
elm and Japan join with the United
States in applying the principle of
the 5-5-3 ratio to auxiliary ships, ir-
respective of France and Italy. There
is little reason to believe, however,
that Great Britain would agree TO
limit her cruiser and submarine
strength while France would be left
free to construct the great unlimited
submarine fleet which French states
men insist is Frances potential de-
Tense against Britain's greater sea
power.
May End Farce.
The British at Washington in
1922 declined absolutely to UNDER
cake any auxiliary limitation unless
t included France and Italy, and
british opinion is understood not to
have changed on that point.
Some belief prevails that President
Coolidge will take no further step
az this time toward a new naval
agreement, in view Of the French re-
lection. Administration officials
pointed out that the American gov
ernment is now in the position Of
having proclaimed to the world its
willingness to further curtail its
navy, and that responsibility for
continued armament has been placed
row on France and her continental
allies, and the way is clear for the
administration to cease its bluff of
Economy" and start building war
ships in quantity.