THE NAVAL CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 246, 17 October 1929, Page 6

THE NAVAL CONFERENCE.

So far, all goes well with the Naval Disarmament project. France, Italy and Japan have now notified their acceptance of Britain's invitation, and the Conference will meet in London in January. But already there are signs visible that anything like unanimity between the Powers is not to be expected at the outset. So far as the naval ratio is concerned, Italy and Japan are both dissatisfied with the proportions allotted to them. Moreover, France is not inclined to accept further naval reductions unless land and air forces are included in the general discussion of armaments. It is well known that France refuses to listen to the suggestion for the abolition of submarines, and she differs from several of the other Powers in regard to the vexed question of including reserve troops in her military quota. It was Britain's desire to propitiate France on this point that prompted her acceptance of the notorious Anglo-Ffench "Compromise," and the bad impression produced by this ill-fated agreement indicates that the Naval Conference will be well advised to avoid this subject altogether. ,