NAVAL PARITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 222, 19 September 1929, Page 7

NAVAL PARITY.

COMING CONFERENCE. France Apprehensive Of Her Security. EQUALITY WITH ITALY. (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) LONDON, September 18. The Governments of Britain and the United States have invited the Governments of Prance, Italy and Japan to send representatives to take part in a live-Powers naval disarmament conference in London in the third week in January. The accompanying Note says tho British and American Governments, will submit their preliminary proposals to the full conference. Also it emphasises tho fact that no favourable result can be obtained without the full and sympathetic co-operation of France, Italy and Japan, especially on tho question of limiting the tonnage of destroyers and submarines. According to reports from Paris the prospect of the new naval conference is viewed with misgivings by those who are responsible for the naval policy of France. It is clear that they would prefer to remain aloof, especially as it involves the delicate question of relations with Italy. There is an ever-present apprehension iu France that any Anglo-American agreement, with Japan, proportionately acquiescent, will be at the expense of French security and force the French Navy into a position something approaching parity with Italy, _ Whose problems of defence are tptally different. The French scheme of defence is based on the geographical position o' the country. This involves sea connections both with the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, also strategical problems including, besides coastal defence, the protection of sea communications between Marseilles and Algiers and between Brest and Dakar. It is argued that if France is placed on an equality with Italy it will mean that she will only have sufficient light sea forces available for the defence of one or other of those routes, not of both. This implies a weakening of France's position in the Mediterranean and a corresponding increase in Italy's influence. Another message from Paris says Press comment on . the Anglo-American ;.greement is to the effect that there is no objection to those two Powers making arrangements between themselves, but France will not give up lier submarine fleet. Nor will she consent to any form of parity which will result in French inferiority in the Mediterranean.