The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-02-10
Suggests Disarmament Dis.
CuSSiOn at Geneva to
Congress and Four
Nations.
THREE CLASSES NAMED
EnumerateS Cruisers, De-
StroyerS and Submarines
for Restriction.

BH Inted Press
WASHINGTON, Feb. TO-
President Coolidge today pro-
posed to the governments Of.
Great Britain, France, Italy
and Japan that limitation Of
destroyers ana Sub
be discussed at the
Forthcoming Geneva disarma-
ment meeting.
The President sent ho Con.
gress a suggestion announcing
of his proposal to
the powers through the Amer
lean ambassadors to the ma
tions involved.
Cruisers, destroyers and sdb-
marines were not limited by
agreements reached at the
Washington disarmament con-
ference in 1922.
The President took issue with for.
eign governments which have argued
1T previous sessions of the Geneva
arms conference that problems of
and. air and sea arms limitations
ire inseparable. He repeated the
American contention that naval limi-
alton should be dealt with immedi-
ltely by the chief naval powers, leav-
ng land and air limitation for re-
sional agreements.
"The American Government" said
his Nnemorandum, feels that land
and air armaments constitute
regional agreements. The
American Army and air force are at
minimum strength. Agreement for
land and air limitation in other
regions Of the world would not be
dependent upon the reduction or
limitation of American land and air
forces"
Makes Admission
His memorandum also admitted
that political conditions
N some countries might render i'm
possible a solution of the universal
problem, but held the con-
ference at Geneva could begin with
the naval proposals.
His proposal was for a naval arms
limitation conference at Geneva,
the preparatory commits
sions deliberations there, in which
American has been constantly repre-
sented. The conference would have
olenary powers and be quite inde.
pendent of the commission work. In
1ther words, Coolidge seeks through
he new Geneva meeting to arrange
or a new al agfeement on limitation of
he smaller war craft, which were
not dealt with at the Washington
conference.
Coolidge has long been whole-
leartedly for new disarmament
move and is ready to aid it with
Americas participation and prestige.
"The American Government and
people are convinced that compete
i've armaments constitute one of
he most dangerous contributing
.ousas ~ i,,4arp a +fa,oI e,,s,oao;ot,
md discord, and are calculated
eventually to lead to Nar," said the
a
Asserts Pact Kept
1t pointed out, however, that the
Washington conference 'unfortu.
lately" was unable to reach agree
nents on all types of craft. The
agreements Of that meeting have
1een faithfully met, Coolidge said,
1ut pointed out that far-reaching
programs" Tor smaller craft
nave been developed in other ma.
ions, while the United States has
'een development of sentiment for
such craft to meet posi-.
ole competition elsewhere.
I'm such sentiments" Coolidge
'aid. lies the germ of renewed naval
Coolidge frankly expressed his
ear that insistenee on a universal
plan in the prepara-
.ory commission meetings would re-
suit in deadlock on disarmament.
Through the parallel conference
by him, however it is held
hat start on further naval limita-
ion can be made.
ut will be a contribution to the
success Of the preliminary work now
going on at Geneva should the great
naval powers there agree upon
further definite Imitation of naval
he said, adding that he
wanted the United States represen-
-atives to continue aiding in prepar-
atory confe. .ence work"
Both Parties Applaud
Coolidges proposal drew hearty
applause in the Senate from both
Democrats and Republicans.
Following are representative COM
nents given the United Press by
leaders, of the various groups:
Chairman Borah of the Foreign
Relations Committee: II am thor.
oughly in sympathy with what the
President would achieve"
Senator Curtis, Republican floor
eader: ut is a valuable suggestion
which should encourage all the ma.
ions to join in effective limitations
Senator Caraway Dem.), Arkansas:
Il am in favor of any conference
'or arm limitation, Armaments in.