Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-24
BRITAIN BACKS j. s.
ON REAL SLASH IN
NAVAL ARMAMENTS
Chamberlain Says Limitation
Is Not Enough, in Address
to Commons.
CLASSIFYING OF SHIPS
CALLED MAIN PROBLEM
Cordial Tone of American Pro-
posals at Geneva Especially
Noted by Minister.

by the Associated fFeSSs
LONDON, April 24.-Sir Austen
Chamberlain, British foreign secretary
told the House of Commons today that
the British government shared fully
the hopes and wishes of the United
States Government on disarmament as
set forth in Ambassador Gibson's
speech at Geneva on Monday.
THE government desires me to take
this opportunity to express its warm
appreciation of the cordial conciliatory
spirit shown by the American delegates
and give assurances on its behalf that
in the same spirit and with the most
earnest wish to reach complete un-
derstanding, it will consider the Amer
ican suggestions" declared Sir Austen.
Cabinet Action Likely.
Todays cabinet meeting was under
stood to have discussed the new and
hopeful position regarding the problem
of naval disarmament created by the
Geneva speech of Ambassador Gibson.
1t is believed probable that instruc-
tionS will be sent to Lord Cushendun,
British delegate, at the preparatory dis
armament conference.
Sir Austen made his statement in
answer to a question by Comdr. Jo-
seph Kenworthy Laborite, whether
Ambassador Gibson's speech had been
called to his attention and what re-
sponse his majesty's government pro-
posed.
Actual Reduction Sought.
"As was at once stated by my noble
R,:z
Austen. his, majeSty's government
shares to the full the hopes and wishes
of the Government of the United States
as therein set forth. His majestys
government, equally with the govern
ment of the United States, desire net
merely a limitation, but reduction OF
naval armamentS.
"They have indeed themselves made
proposals for such general reduction
and that the reduction should be ap-
piled to every class of war vessel. AS
between ourselves and the United
States. such difference as has hitherto
existed has not been concerned with
these great principles, nor with the
relative strength of our respective
navies. but with determination of the
categories into which ships of war
should be divided.
Notes New Offer.
"On this point his majestys gov
ernment has noted with much interest
the new criteria suggested by Mr.. Glib
son. They attach great Importance 10
the possibilities opened by the greater
elasticity given by his suggestion to the
adjustment of the agreed naval strength
to the different circumstances OF the
two powers"
The foreign secretary then closed
with the governments expression OF ap-
probation and the assurance that the
American suggestions would be consid-
cred with the same spirit and with
the earnest wish for complete under
standing.
Kenworthy Is Critical.
Sir Austen was asked by Comdr. Ken
worthy if he were aware that there was
nothing definite in his admirably ex-
uressed answer to his acceptance OF the
American proposal. Comdr. Kenworthy
wanted to know if this offer would be
treated differently from ''the very SIM
liar Offer made last September In a
note from American Ambassador Hougn-
ton.
IT do not understand the motive OF
the honorable gentleman in endeavor-
ing to diminish the effect OF the SUD-
stantial import of the statement have
lust made" Sir Auten replied. :.
Comdr. Kenworthy answered that II
was exactly on this proposal OF cate
gories that agreement failed OF success
at Geneva in 1927. MY motive is to
see that we make no further blunders
of that kind" he added.