Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-22
COMMONS TO TAKE
UP NAVAL TREATY
Macdonald Informs Baldwin
Bill Will Be Considered on
Second Reading Tomorrow.
BY the Associated Press.

LONDON. July 22-The House Of
Commons will proceed Immediately with
the further consideration of the bill for
giving effect to the London naval treaty,
Prime Minister Ramsay Macdonald in
formed the House this afternoon.
Asked by former Premier Stanley
Baldwin whether it was necessary that
the second reading of the bill take
place tomorrow, or whether it would be
left over until the Autumn, MacDon-
old replied that the bill would be con-
sidered on its second reading tomorrow.
II have made further inquiries about
the BILL" the prime minister said, and
1 think that under the circumstances it
would be very advisable If the second
reading were taken now, especially after
the ratification of the treaty by the
United States Senate yesterday.
I'VE therefore propose TO take it, and
in view of the debate of yesterday. in
which the ground has been so well
covered. ! think that consideration Of
the bill on second reading might be
reasonably brief"
Labor Survives Attacks.
The Labor governments naval pro-
gram met and survived attacks from
two sides of the House during debate
yesterday on the naval estimates.
A Laborite, Comdr. j. M. Kenworthy,
made first motion TO reduce the esti-
mates by nominal sum, on the
grounds that they were too high.
When this had been overwhelmingly
defeated by 239 votes to q, Comdr. A..
% 4
second motion to the same effect.
This motion met a similar fate to that
Of its predecessor, being rejected by 21S
to 1876.
In both votes Prime Minister Mac
Donald had heavy majorities.
Comdr. Southby's motion was a purely
formal means of expressing disapproval
o. the naval program, which the Con-
servatives contend Is inadequate to the
needs of the empire.
AS the debate was drawing to q close,
the news was flashed to the House that
the United States Senate had ratified
the Naval Treaty.
Prime Minister Macdonald. on learn
ing it, exclaimed: Splendid, am
tremendously pleased. This puts Amer
lea in the place she is out to occupy
In these matters. The decision is most
timely"
Lord Of Admiralty Delighted.
A. v. Alexander, first lord of the adj
miralty, exhibited great delight and
quickly passed on the news of the Sem
ate's decision to the other cabinet min
listers and the members of the House
Mr.. Alexander referred both to the
French and the Italian attitudes to-
ward the treaty.
There is no one In this house who
desires more earnestly than / do that
there should be q speedy agreement be-
tween France and Italy to adhere to
the limitations proposals of part three
of the treaty." he said.
I'VE who were in the conference, who
negotiated direct with the leading dele
gates OF France and Italy, know that
they have not a single moments anx-
iety about the Labor governments re-
placement program within the limited
tonnage of the treaty.
II would say this, we ar, quite pre-
pared, as soon as France and Italy
have agreed to the principle of limita-
ton on which the three oceanic pow
ers are already agreed, to say Let us
confer again together and see how far
we can CO.
surely the first principle now to be
adopted Is for France and italy to say
that Great Britain, America and ia
pan, having nut their cards on the table
and agreed TO the principle OF limi-
tation, we will also adhere to the same
principle and then to confer as to
what the next steps shall be-"
Comdr. Kenworthy's motion drew
some support In the Labor back benches
but was easily defeated.
The Labor member asserted that the
British program was a menace to peace
because 1t involved further piling up
of ornaments.
II am going to vote for reduction of
the estimates" he said, land even II !
defeat the government, its life is not
to be compared with the millions of
lives that will be lost in the great war
which is inevitable If we continue un-
checked this policy OF the nations build
ing against each other"