PLENARY SESSION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 94, 31 January 1930, Page 5

PLENARY SESSION

the naval tonnage.

PROPOSALS BY THE POWERS. GLOBAL OR CATEGORICAL. . . I V - • (United Pi ess Association^-Copyright.) (Received This Day, 10.50 a.m../ LONDON, January 30. Opening the third plenary session ot the NaVal Conference this morning, Mr Ramsav MacDonald said it was called to deal with. the agenda which had. been circulated. The only item on the agenda was that of consuleration of the general Questions affecting the work of the conference, and under this heading France, Britain hud Italy had each given notice of proposals which they wished to advance, as follows : FRANCE. First, a system of global tonnage and the French delegation’s transactional proposal. Secondly, what classification on edit to be adopted. Thirdly, transfer of the amount and conditions thereof. , GREAT BRITAIN. , A system of- limitation hv categories. ' ITALY. \ First, determination of ratios. Secondly, determination of the levels of ’the total tonnages of several countries. —British Official Wnejess. PROPOSAL BY FRANCE. ' . • • { / MAXIMUM AND TRANSFERS. 1 (Received This Day, 10.50 a.m.) LONDON, January 30. At the plenary session of the Naval Conference at St. James’s Palace, Mr MacDonald, in the course of lus opening address, explained that the different interests and relationships between the Powers were exceedingly intricate and could not he dealt with straight away in open conference. Exchanges of views with the object or removing misunderstandings and paving the way to compromise or agreement had thus far proved most gratifying Signor Grandi (Italy’) said that the French and Britain proposals dealt with virtually the same problem, namely, global tonnage.or categories. He also referred to the French intermediate idea of a transactional basis. Italy dealt rather with the principle of limitation on the maximum level. Her problem was essentinlly political, name- * lv 5 ' acceptance of the restriction ot the r.- fundamental rights inherent in national sovereignty. They therefore had to solve, first and foremost! what basis of reciprocal relative strength each was prepared to accept in limitation of freedom of action in the. matter oi armaments. For Italy it was no \ question of procedure, but of substance. But, as some thought it more prudent to refrain from discussing two points, Italy was prepared to await procedure methods, but did not see her way at present to commit herself on the question of the method or any special point •of the disarmament problem until the two fundamental-questions of global or categories had been settled. Mr H. L. Stimsou (United States) proposed that the questions of method of procedure—particularly the French and British suggestions for limitation by the global and category methods respectively, and France’s proposal for a method of transfer from one category to another—he referred to a committee representing all the delegations for examination and report to the Conference. • Mr Gibson (United States) said that America had consistently favoured the i category method as best calculated to reduce international competition and feelings of mistrust and suspicion. By the category method nations would know exactly what others were contemplating, but the global system would leave an unknown situation, causing fear and anxiety and ultimately building competition. ‘ M. Tgrdieu (France) testified to the French delegation’s interest in Mr Gibson’s speech, and added that categorical limitation would be more satisfactory for £he naval Powers, but global tonnage was better for those whose navies were not so important. The Fiench delegation desired the matter referred hack to a committee. Mr A. V. Alexander (Britain) thanked Air Gibson, and paid a tribute to the extreme friendliness and helpfulness of all the delegates. The need by Britain and the Dominions for sea security wa,s vital." Britain’s proposals were based on a categorical system in which she completely agreed with America and Japan. An important aspect of Britain’s proposal was that within each category > the maximum tonnage of the individual unit was strictly limited, and should be at the lowest figure consistent with the exercise of the duties of the unit. Britain did not object to- the. proposal to transfer the tonnage of one ship to another, according to national needs, and in view of the progress made at the Conference she was fully prepared to consider some system of placing tennage transfer, if it applied to the least powerful type of ships. He hoped this would enable the countries with less powerful navies to meet their needs atid requirements. He could say, on behalf of Britain, that she welcomed discussion on the transactional proposals to which Mr Tardieu had referred. and the appointment of a committee moved by Mr Stimson. Mr Stimson’s resolution was adopted. Air AlacDonald. announced that the Conference’s conversations would he continued, -and from these furthei business would arise, winch the Conference would again be summoned to discuss. „ » The Plenary Conference then adjourned sine die. The French proposals are understood to be that each Power should submit the maximum total tonnage by categories which it would not exceed foi th» duration of the treaty; taereaftei each Power would he permitted to deviate dr transfer certain .agreed percentages between these categories, after informing the other Powers.

ATMOSPHERE OF HOPE.

TURN IN TIDE IMMINENT

(Received This Daw 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, January 30

Tlip plenary session and the. introduction to to-day’s proceedings in connection with tlie Naval Conference, leave fin atmpsphere of hope that Mr

MacDonald's optimism will be realised. .. Speaking to pressmen after the session Air "MacDonald indicated that they were approaching settlement of a measure which had. hitherto defied solution. This was regarded as expressing the feeling existing throughout the conference that a big turn in the tide was imminent. England, France, and America are now N much closer together than ever before, while Japan has always been anxious for closest co-operation. Thus many now consider that there is not only an extremely promising outlook but that the general question of naval disarmament has reached a stage well' beyond anything hitherto. Italy appears to he to some extent the impeding' agent, with a strong desire to settle the problems of parity with France, and the impression is fast nrowing that it is already a four-to-one conference, in the face of which Italy can hardly hold up progress. The admission of the Press to the plenary sessions must not he constructed into the belief that journalists are in the full confidence of the Conference. Undoubtedly, had the plenary sessions been private there would have been much more open speaking and delegates do not disguise the fact that straight speaking, which alone removes misunderstandings, will he strictly confined to private meetings. THE AUSTRALIAN FLEET. NO REFERENCE AT CONFERENCE.' / (Received This Day, 11.35 a.m.) LONDON, January 30. i There will be a c-onefernee of Dominion delegates to the Naval Conference at Number 10, Downing Street, tomorrow morning. Air Fenton (Australia) says that nothing affecting the Australian fleet has vet been* mentioned, and nothing has been decided as to who will represent the Dominions on the Agenda Committee. LUNCHEON TO JOURNALISTS. OVER THIRTY NATIONALITIES. (Received This Day, 10.50 a.m.) LONDON. January 30. Journalists of- over 30 nationalities Lad luncheon with the delegates to the Naval Conference, including Air I. Al. Wilford. . Air Wakatsuki (Japan) responded on behalf of the delegates. » COMMITTEE PROPOSED. CONVERSATIONS ON TONNAGES. LONDON, January 20. Interest in the Naval Conference centres at the moment on the plenary session at St. James’s Palace to-mor-row morning. After Air AlacDonald, as president of the Conference, Jins spoken, most of the heads of the other delegates will state their view's, and the formation will he proposed ol a committee consisting of two representatives from each delegation, one ni the purposes of which will ho to regulate the Conference’s scheme of work and thus guide it along the line of progress. In more or less informal conversations the delegates have been enabled to compare different theories in regard to categorical and global tonnages, and so on, and to judge their relative effect upon the different varieties of tonna<re and it has been possible during these consultati/is in measure to correlate and merge these, different theories. _ , The Prime Minister to-dav entertained the heads of the delegations and their wives to a luncheon. Lord Grey, Air and Mrs Philip Snowden, and Air and Airs Runciman were also present. This evening, in his room at the House of Commons, the Prime Muuster gave the substance of the conversations between the French and Biitish delegates in turn to Mr Stimsou Mr Wakatsuki and Signor Grandi.— British Official Wireless.