THE NAVAL PACT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 51, Issue 132, 17 March 1931, Page 5

THE NAVAL PACT.

DRAFTINC ITS FINAL FORM. LONDON MEETING ARRANGED. (United Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Dav, 10.55 a.m.) LONDON, March 16. For the purpose of considering the form and final drafting of the Anglo-Franco-Italian naval agreement a meeting of diplomatic and technical experts is being arranged to take place in London on Thursday. Mr Dwight Morrow, who was one of the United States delegates to the last London Naval Conference, last year, will attend, together with the Ambassador (General C. G. Dawes) on behalf of the Uijjted while Japan's representative will be M. Matsudairo (Ambassador in London). —British Official Wireless. THE ITALIAN STATEMENT. NO ENTHUSIASM IN FRANCE. PARIS, March 16. Signor Grnndi's speech oni the naval agreement found no wide echo here. The newspapers comment cautiously, and they express surprise that Signer Grandi "(Italian Foreign Minister) made no mention of the Franco-Italian negotiations to settle differences which the Ambassador opened with the Italian Foreign Office. The Press, is also suspicious at the conciliatory tone regarding disarmament. Signor Crandi's pacifism is regarded as a rather rapid conversion from Signor Mussolini's militarism. Nevertheless the Franco-Italian negotiations are proceeding cordially. It is stated the French are offering considerable concessions to /Italy respecting the North African frontiers. It is expected that Italy will reciprocate by not fostering a separate Italian State "in Tunis.