POSSIBLE NAVAL AGREEMENT

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21715, 24 February 1936, Page 11

POSSIBLE NAVAL AGREEMENT

WILL ITALY SIGN? MUSSOLINI'S ATTITUDE IN CURRENT TALKS fajTITED PBZSS ASBOCIATIOX-COPTBIOHT.) (Received February 23, 7.50 p.m.) LONDON, February 22. The official hint from Rome that Italy might give a signature to any technical naval agreement, dependent on political considerations, is among the latest developments complicating the Naval Conference, which in the last few days has proceeded by bilateral conversations. Mr Norman Davis (United States) called on Mr R. A. Eden (Foreign Secretary) to deprecate the introduction of European political issues into the conference—a view with which Mr Eden is understood to have concurred. . . It is declared in American circles that Mr DaviS could not even initial a document going beyond a technical naval agreement; yet France is endeavouring to add a protocol to the agreement, resuscitating negotiations for an air agreement and other political pacts. The Rome correspondent ot lne Times" says that it is not believed in well-informed quarters that Italy will refuse to sign any naval agreement reached by the London Naval Conference as long as sanctions are in force, pointing out that Italy will benefit by accepting a naval agreement. , . , Similarly, no great importance is attached to reports that an ItaloGerman agreement has been concluded. , , . f The diplomatic correspondent ot the "Daily Telegraph" says the information reaching London suggests that Italian official circles are beginning to question the wisdom of publishing the purloined Maffey report, and it is also felt that its publication may irritate British opinion and lead to a stronger demand for more intensive sanctions which Italy is making the utmost effort to lift Signor Mussolini, meanwhile is refusing to contemplate participation K the suggested round-table conference with Germany on larger programmes, which France and Britain are seeking to arrange. , . ... Signor Mussolini's attitude is that he cannot participate many sue talks as long as sanctions are in force against Italy.

DEMAND FOR 35,000-TON I BATTLESHIPS U.S DECISION CONVEYED TO FRANCE (Received February 23, 9.2 p.m.) ' LONDON, February 22. Mr Norman Davis (United States delegate to the Naval Conference) informed France of the American decision not to abandon the demand for 35,000-ton battleships. • LOn February 10. it was stated that France had appealed direct to the United States Government for agree ment to a maximum tonnage of battleSs lower than 35,000. The reductTon which was also desired by Brita°n, was not conceded by the United States the decision being conveyed Dy the British Ambassadors in Paris and Rome, to the Governments of France and Italy.J