SOBER OPTIMISM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 65, 18 March 1930, Page 7

SOBER OPTIMISM.

NAVAL CONFERENCE. Franco-Italian Difficulties Remain Corner Stone. ' NO CONCLUSIVE AGREEMENT., (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) V ' (Received 10 a.m.) LONDON, March 17. The situation in the Naval Disarmament Conference according to the British spokesman is still that of sober optimism. M. Tardieu's attitude of last night is interpreted as being quite hopeful, even to the extent of securing a five-Power pact. The British position is definitely affected by the Franco-Italian difficulties which at present form the corner stone of the conference. The conversations between Mr. MacDonald and M. Tardieu, the last of which, early to-day, preceded a long talk between Mr. Mac Donald and Mr. Stimson, with a conversation between Mr. MacDondld and Signor Grandi.to follow, resulted satisfactorily from the British viewpoint, though not from the viewpoint of- those who desired to kill the conference during the week-end. The conversations will continue informally during the week. Obviously everything was not settled by March 1(>, nor can it be said that France and Italy liavo agreed to a 3—2 or a 6—4 ratio as an acceptable relative naval equilibrium. The interdependence of sea, land and air forces never, as has been suggested in some quarters, came within the ambit of the conversations, yesterday's discussions being confined to naval iigures and not touching new securities and guarantees. It would be of the utmost significance to Britain if an agreement suitable to Britain and America regarding percentages of ratios was reached, but no suggestion has yet resulted in absolute and general agreement hereon. It does not follow, however, that an American and Japanese agreement would be acceptable to Britain. Nevertheless, there is little doubt that such would be the case because the American and Japanese delegations are so familiar with the respective situations that they would be unlikely to arrive at a hard and fast agreement without the knowledge of the third party and in terms acceptable thereto. There is not yet, however, a conclusive agreement either between America and Japan, or Britain and America. FRENCH BISCOYERY. No Political Guarantees for Reduced Tonnage. EUROPEAN OBSTACLES. (British Official Wireless.) (Received 12 noon.) RUGBY, March 17. M. Tardieu left for Paris accompanied by M. Pietri, Minister of Colonies. Ha expects to return to London next week. The work of the Naval Conference is likely to be restricted this week to informal interviews between the members of the different delegations. No plenary session i 3 in prospect and the problem of adjusting the tonnage figures of the five Poweres within the categories prepared for them by the first committee of the conference is the chief immediate problem. The difficulties of the European situation have been enhanced by the discovery by France that, there is little likelihood of political, guarantees bein;* forthcoming in exchange for the scaling down of her tonnage figures and by the insistence of Italy on parity With the largest Continental naval Power. The fact that the week-end discussions between the British and French delegates excluded political issues from their purview is taken as a recognition by France that the adjustments must be on the basis of figures, and it is anticipated that discussions on this Bubject will be prolonged. While it is improbable that any marked advance will be made this week it is regarded as certain that the conference will not break down before M. Tardieu returns to London at the end of the week. In the interval there will be numerous private conversations. Mr. Mac Donald is dining to-night With members of the French delegation at the French Embassy. Regarding tlie suggestion that the political issues raised .should be transferred to Geneva, it is stated that no such proposal has been mooted officially. ACCORD ASSURED? DIVERGENT VIEWS IN JAPAN, TOKYO, March 17. The vernacular Press delightedly acclaims the latest American proposal at the Naval Conference as evidence that an accord is assured. On the other hand the naval authorities are reported to be dissatisfied. They reiterate Japan's need of 70 per cent of large cruisers as the absolute minimum. The civil authorities are reticent and non-committal.