Asked whether he was aware that the statement issued by Sir Rsmé Howard and the subsequent statement made by the Foreign Ofice had caused misunderstanding arise in the United States, Sir Austen said that there was no contradiction between the statements. The statement issued by the Foreizn Office was a correction of mistaken inferences drawn from the: statement made by the British Ambassador at Washington.
Explaining the circumstances in which the statement was made in Washington. the Foreign Secretary said that Sir Esme, on being approached by representatives of the press for his views on the possibility. of a renewal of the discussions on the limitation of naval armaments, ave his personal opinions as to the possible course of events. In no part of his statement did he indicate that immediate developments were likely, although erroneous dednctions in this sense seemed to have: been drawn from his remarks by certain sections of the pross—Reuter.
The Reaction in Japan Tokyo, Feb. 16, Howard's declaration yesterday to the effect British Government woul shortly the pr view to ritinge the state Minister of the Navy fu February 1M, when ko remake Ssu woitld pone the const vessels and cruisers if the other Po youred this san wf the he the aval eunference before to the necessity of preps report of the not et beea received, the spokesman asserted that Jonas was willing to agree te the agreement were but recalled Japs the present erence in wording and exyresst
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