Howard, writing to the press, phasized that the statement," that the delay in the passage of the Cruiser Bill had retarded British efforts towards further—disarmament, but, now that the measure was enacted, ho held the ground clear for new discussions with the principal naval Powers with a view to the further limitation of naval armaments, was merely an expert sion of his personal views and war in no way an official pronouncement, Official Statement London, Feb, 16, The Foreign Office has issued a statement to-day that there has eon no change in the situation with regard to the limitation of naval armaments since Siv Austen Chan berlain informed the House of Covamons on the Gth of this month that Mis Majesty's Government was car fully examining "all questions concerning our relations with America and the naval conditions of the) two countries.
This examination diligently prosecuted, Ax soon it is concluded the first step will se to communicate the results to the Governments of the Dominions and to receive and consider their view: Therefore, it is unlikely that Tis Majesty's' Government ill be an a Position to make any further con Scerctary for ed that the Brit a new conference on armaments or maritime lave Sir Austen referred to his reply of. the. Gth, stating thet all the questions concerning the relations ain Britain, with America and the naval conditions of count were under fon Pte Ailigently prosecuted, udding that he wag unable to nuke' any statement until that inquiry was concluded. AAS sensas it vas concluded the! first step taken would be to muniente the Feaults £0 the Gover ments of the Dominions and to re= ceive and, consider their views. Therefore, he repeated, it was likely that the Government would be in a position fy mats any for AND LIMITATION, ther communication to the House for some time.
The Anglo-French Understanding The Foreign Secretary informed the House that the announcement, made by Sir Esme Howard, the British Ambassador to the United Scates, in Washington on the 15th <that the British Government would shortly commence conversations with the prinefpal naval Pow-a view to the further imitation of naval armaments—vas not made on an instruction from Mis Majesty's Government, In reply to a question asked by Conmander the Hon. J, M. Kenworthy, Labour member for Hull, Sir Austen said the communications with the Dominion government did not concern the question of the British Government summoning a new conference, In reply toa farther question, the Secretary for Foreizn Affai stated that the Note reeaived from the United States on September 28 last year, which rejected the British and French naval compromise, did not invite the British Government to summon or attend a new conference. It objected to the proposals previously made by the British Government on the round that the United States had already objected to them. The Note sugsestod that the United States was prepared to negotiate further naval disarmament on a basis to which Britain had previously expressed her objection,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.