FRANCE'S THREAT

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 83, 8 April 1930, Page 7

FRANCE'S THREAT

■| BIG NAVY PLAN. Reply to Three-Power Proposal on Reduction. INTENSIVE BUILDING. (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) ' :: - " (Received 9.30 a.m.) PAKIS, April 7. If the London Naval Conference breaks down France intends to proceed immediately with her big navy plans by putting into effect her 1930 programme. This provides for the construction of eighteen war vessels totalling 40,000 tons, including the following:— Ono 10,000-ton cruiser. Six higli seas submarines of 1500 tons each. Six destroyers, each 2500 tons. Various minelayers and anti-sub-marine craft. Under the 1931 programme France may decide on the construction of 55,000 tons, including a super-cruiser of 15,000 tons.

SECURITY PROBLEM.

Franco-British Political Parleys. SEARCH FOR FORMULA. (British Official Wireless.) (Received 12 noon.) RUGBY, April 7. Hopes of achieving an agreement on the major phase before the London Naval Conference are dependent upon the result of the Anglo-French efforts to devise a formula offering an agreed interpretation of Article XVI. of the Covenant of the League of Nations and the annex of the Locarno Treaty, which would satisfy French security demands but would not increase Britain's overseas commitments. Newspapers point out that if agreements were made it remains to be seen whether a formula, acceptable to Britain, would lead to a substantial reduction of the French tonnage and solve the problem caused by Italy's demand for parity with the largest Continental naval Power. The Anglo-French conversations have been watched with great interest here, and in Parliament and the Press anxiety i<; displayed lest any new interpretations should increase Britain's obligations. M. Briand is expected to return to London to-morrow after his week-end consultation with M. Tardieu in regard to the formulae which have been tentatively evolved in the course of the AngloFrench discussions in London.

SCOUT CRUISER.

New Italian Vessel Attains Record Speed. EIGHT MORE IN COMMISSION. ROME, April 7. During the speed trials of a new 2000ton scout cruiser, the Nicolos Alderecco, 1 off Ancona, she registered 41.5 knots. This is a world's record. Eight cruisers of the same type already are in commission in conformity with Signor Mussolini's plan to specialise a light, mobile and high-powered Mediterranean fleet. On April 27 four new cruisers and one submarine are to be launched.

NAVAL ECONOMIES.

Further Heavy Cuts Proposed in Australia. DESTROYER TO BE SUNK. MELBOURNE, April 7. Further heavy naval economies are to be effected by the Defence Department. Probably they will result in a saving of £700,000. The only ships to remain in commission are the cruisers Australia and Canberra, the aircraft-carrier Albatross, and one destroyer—the Success. The destroyer Huon is to be sunk by gun-fire. It is estimated 20 per cent of the clerical staff of the Department will be dismissed. U.S. CONSTRUCTION. AUTHORISATION BILL. (Received 11 a.m.) WASHINGTON, April 7. The navy will be authorised to proceed immediately with construction work costing more than £2,000,000 if a bill passed by the Senate on Monday, and sent on to 'the House of Representatives, becomes law.