NAVAL STRENGTH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 159, 8 July 1935, Page 7

NAVAL STRENGTH.

LIMITATION HOPES.

Washington and London Pacts

Should Be Replaced.

POOLING OF PROGRAMMES

.(British Official Wireless.)

(Received 1.30 p.m.) RUGBY, July 7.

The exchange of views and information which began during the naval talks between Britain and Germany last month is still proceeding satisfactorily, and the application of the principle of the agreement to the actual strength and building programmes is under discussion. "The Times" emphasises that an agreement for qualitative limitation is urgently needed to replace LJie Washington and London agreements, which have been of definite value in saving expenditure and discouraging competition. The "Sunday Times" says that Germany, in fulfilment of the naval agreement, has communicated to Britain, Franco and other Powers details of the ships already laid down and the programme for 1935-36. It is hoped the way will thus be paved for pooling programmes, and for a general conference on naval strengths. The naval correspondent of "The Times" says the German battleships Ersatz Elsass and Ersatz Hanover, recently laid down, exceed the 10,000 tons specified by the Versailles Treaty.