NAVAL CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19841, 31 January 1930, Page 11

NAVAL CONFERENCE.

FIRST PLENARY SESSION DISCUSSION ON ORDER OF BUSINESS. (CKIT£D PRESS ASSOCIATION —BY EbZCTBIO TELEGBAPH—COPYRIGHT.) LONDON, January '29. Activity between the different delegations had been lulled by preparation for the plenary session, which will not be an occasion to register an agreement, but will merely implement the arrangements to have a permanent Agenda Committee. Proceedings are likely to be brief. Mr Mac Donald will state the position in regard to tonnages, and it is expected that Signor Grandi will ask for an indication of the figure it is proposed to allocate to Italy. Apparently it will be an occasion for Mr MacDonald to go warily, because if he indicates Britain's ideas of her own figures in advance of those of France and Italy it may hamper Britain's bargaining opportunities. It is unfortunate that Great Britain comes alphabetically between France and Italy, but this may be overcome by Mr Mac Donald, as chairman, making a general opening and reserving his detailed case till later in the session, when the experts may have a formula to submit. Mr Stimson's broadcast speech really indicated America's desire in connexion with the order of business, first to end competition in cruisers and destroyers, secondly to abolish or limit submarines, and thirdly to reduce battleships below the 1922 agreement. Singularly enough Lord Hankey's preliminary questionnaire suggesting a draft agenda also put battleships last, so everything points to the idea that the first real test will be cruisers.

The British spokesman says that all the delegates, if they desire, may speak alphabetically to-morrow. Thereafter there might be a general discussion, but there is still a feeling that there is in-, sufficient progress as yet to justify a full-dress debate. LIMITATION BY TONNAGES. THE JAPANESE VIEWPOINT. LONDON, January 29. Mr T. M. Wilford, representing the Dominions rather than only New Zealand, attended a meeting of AngloJapanese delegates. It Mas revealed that Britain, Franco, and Japan have reached an agreement on the AngloFrench global-categorical tonnage compromise.

Mr Mac Donald to-night submitted the agreement to Mr Stimson and Signor Grandi.

The Big Five will eacli make a statement on the subject at to-morrow's plenary meeting. Thf> Japanese vpukesmn n explains the present position. Japan favours limitation by category, but does not object to tho other system. Japan, is prepared to reduce the 'strength of other categories, except submarines, provided her requirements are considered on their merits as a big Power. He added: "We are confident of a satisfactory conclusion to the Conference."

Mr Wilfird, asked whether his presence at the Anglo-Japanese meeting was associated, with Pneific discussions, replied that no specific questions had vet been raised, the Powers merely discussing their general attitudes. He does net think that Singapore will be discussed. He added: "T have never discussed Singapore, formally or informally, with Mr Mac Donald or Mr Fenton." APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE PROPOSED. CONVERSATIONS ON TONNAGES. IBWTISH OYTtCIJLt WIBKLXSS.) RUGBY, January 29. Interest in the Naval Conference centres at the moment on to-morrow morning's plenary session at St James's Palace. After Mr Mac Donald, as president of the Conference, has spoken, most of the heads of the other delegations will state their views, and the formation will be proposed of a committee consisting of two representatives from each delegation, one of the purposes of which will be to regulate the Conference's scheme of work and thus guide it along the line of progress. In more or less informal conversations the delegates have been enabled to compare different theories in regard to categorical and global tonnages, and so on, and to judge their relative effect upon the different varieties of tonnage, and it has been possible during thest) consultations in some measure to correlate and merge these different theories.

Th«s Prime Minister to-day entertained the heads of the delegations and their wives to a luncheon. Lord Grey, Mr and Mrs Philip Snowden, and Mr and Mrs Euneiman were also present. This evening, in his room at tho House of Commons, the Prime Minister gave the substance of the conversations between tire French and British delegates in turn to Mr Stimson. Mr Wakatsuki and Signor Grandi.