Speaking of Mr. Coolidge's proposal for the further limitation of
naval armaments, Mr. Baldwin used a curious phrase. " As an individual," he said, " I should be only too pleased if further progress is made before too long on the lines of the Washington Conference." This may be taken to mean that the Government have not yet made up their minds exactly what to say to Mr. Coolidge, but that they are in general sympathy with him. The truth is that Great Britain is formally committed to the " ideal " scheme upon which the League is now working, of reducing all the armaments of all countries. It would be impossible to dissociate ourselves from that project without seeming to be disloyal and without discouraging and even snubbing other countries. But in the back of our minds we know perfectly well that agreement on naval limitation between ourselves and America is what really matters. In one way or another Mr. Coolidge's proposal ought to be of great importance. Since we wrote last week Italy has sent a polite refusal to Mr. Coolidge, but Japan has expressed approval. * * * *
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