Douglas daily dispatch., 1927-07-28

the conference.
"The basis of the Geneva confer
ence, as we understand it," said the
foreign minister, "and in the presi-
dents intention, is to reconcile the
limitation OF armaments with ma
Jional security, and that is the only
basis en- which any conference for
the limitation Of ornaments can
ever be brought to a successful is
sue''
In the house of lords the Marquis
of Salisbury, lord privy seal and
government leader, read q statement
similar to that of the foreign sec
retary.
Viscount Haldane declared that the
statement laid down a principle, and
he saw no reason why an agreement
should not be reached solving the
very difficult problem of disarma-
lnent.
GENEVA, Switzerland, July 81 up
j. Sc Smith, high commissioner for
the union Of South Africa at Lon.
don, told The Associated Press
correspondent tonight that he was
convinced the British delegates would
return to Geneva from London with
a genuine desire to smooth out all
difficulties. He feels confident that
there is a reasonable chance Of
reaching an agreement at the trl-
partite naval conference, to which
he is q delegate representing South
Africa.
This statement came at o time
when the atmosphere here was ex-
trennely pessimistic because of re-
ports that Lord Cecil and w. c.
Bridgeman would return to Geneva
with an even stiffer attitude than
when they left.
Mr.. Smith voiced his opinion, he
said, on his observations during a
recent visit to London and on actual
talks with officials. At a time like
this, he went on, it is in the inter-
est of the dominions generally to
exercise a conciliatory influence to
maintain good understanding be-
tween the powers represented at the
conference and, as the representa-
tive of South Africa, he had every
desire to have remain intact the
existing friendly relations between
the United States and Great Batain
Hence. he had contributed his bot
to promoting policy of apprecia-
ton of each others viewpoint. He
though the question OF 18-inch gun
cruisers, which the United States
wants the right to build, would not
prove an insurmountable problem.
II believe that the British will do
everything possible to meet the
American and japanese viewpoints" /"
he said, "and bring the conference
to successful issue.
"The union of South Africa is a
member of the league of nations, and
very much interested in the work OF
the preparatory commission on dis
armament and would like to see that
work a success. For that reason,
conference to be a success, feeling
that it would strengthen them, the
league of nations, not only in its
disarmament efforts, but also in its
aim of promoting international CO.
operation in all fields"
WASHINGTON, July q P)-Ad-
ministration officials apparently were
unable to discover today in the press
accounts of the statement made by
Sir Austen Chamberlin, British for
eign minister, to the house OF COM
mons, any new contribution that
would aid the Geneva arms confer
ence in reaching an agreement on
a new naval limitation treaty, par
ticularly regarding the troublesome
cruiser problem.
The fact that Mr. Chamberlin
hinted at some new proposition as to
temporary agreement that the
British chief delegate might be TAX
ing back to Geneva was noted but
in the absence OF any information
as to the nature OF that proposition,
comment was withheld. 1t was said,
however, that OF course, the Ameri-
can delegation would give full con-
sideration to any suggestions their
British colleagues might care to
present as result of the conference
in London.
Officials also noted the statement