REDUCTION OF ARMAMENTS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 259, 2 August 1928, Page 9

REDUCTION OF ARMAMENTS

THE BRITISH AND FRENCH AGREEMENT

PROPOSALS TO BE SUBMITTED TO

NEXT CONFERENCE

TALK OF REVIVAL OF ENTENTE CORDIALE

There is much speculation in Britain and France as to the nature of the naval agreement. In Paris there is talk of a revival of the entente cordiale. ‘‘Le Journal” says that in the compromise reached, France receives satisfaction of her claims respecting land forces, and makes counter-balancing concessions to the British naval claims. It is understood that the proposals will be submitted to the next Disarmament Conference.

United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright

(Australian Press Association.)

(Rcc. August 1, 7.5 p.m.)

London, August 1. There is much speculation on both sides of the Channel concerning the nature of the Anglo-French agreement. It is understood that the proposals "ill most probably be submitted to the iij‘4 Disarmament Conference. A French Foreign Office statement declared that it was to allow of the reopening of the work of the preparatory conference which ended in a deadlock, that France and Britain sought a compromise. It is expected that France will delay the laying down of the two ships permissible under the Washington Treaty. There is no leakage in London, but the French Press find officials profess to know a lot about the proposals. There is much talk of a revival of the Entente Cordiale. A highly-placed personage described it as a return to the close alliance existing before the war. He said: “Jhe scheme can be considered to be a sort of unified command of the naval and military forces of both countries on the basic principle that Britain and France henceforth will act in co-opera-tion. France will communicate io the British Admiralty the details of her navy programme. Any idea of war between them is absolutely out of the question. Britain in return will not object io the French military .reserves and not accuse France of militarism find possessing the strongest army in the world, a point on which France always lias been sensitive.”

STATEMENTS BY FRENCH PRESS COMPROMISE PREGNANT WITH POSSIBILITIES (Australian Press Association.) (Rec. August 1, 7.10 p.m.) Paris, July 31. Official silence i..aintaine(l regarding the terms of the naval agreement. "Le Journal” states: "In the compromise reached France receives satisfaction of her claims respecting laud forces, making counter-balancing concessions to the British naval claims, agreeing to limitation by category in five classes of battleships, cruisers, auxiliary surface vessels, and subm lines. Britain lifts been advocating certain abolitions since the Washington Conference in 1922, France insisting that submarines and light-amoured vessels are essential to her defence. This difference was primarily responsible for France and Italy not participating at the Geneva Conference in 1927. The compromise is, therefore, r .gnant with political and financial possibilities. However, we have not reached the end of the Genova divergence in (he dimensions and armaments of cruisers,” “Le Matin” says the discussions centred on each Bower’s liberty to choose the types of ships within the tonnage limits. WORK OF PREPARATORY COMMISSION THE MAIN DIVERGENCE LIMITATION BY TONNAGE OR SHIPS (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, July 31. Much interest lias been aroused by the announcement in the House* of Commons last night by Sir Austen Chamberlain regarding the result of the Franco-British conversations undertaken with a view to facilitating the progress of the work* of the Preparatory Commission on Disarmament. The Commission, it will be recalled, lias been silting for two years. Its pur-

pose is to prepare for a Disarmament Conference. Britain and France put forward for consideration by the Commission two draft conventions and (lie discussions of the Commission have been based upon file texts of these drafts. As regards naval disarmament Hie main divergence in the Commission was ou (he question of whether limitation should be by total tonnage or by number of ships. Burly tliis year, at Geneva. Lord Cushenduii, the leading British delegate, announced that conversations had been begun between the French and British naval experts. This was taken at the time as a hopeful sign, and it is the result of these conversations io which Sir Austen Chamberlain referred in the House of Commons last night. At present the Preparatory Commission is not in session, but Sir Austen Chamberlain said that he was about to communicate to the other principal naval Powers the compromise arrived at, with the hope that it might be acceptable to them also and that this great obstacle to progress would have been removed and another step made in advance.

Until those proposals have been communicated to other Governments, Sir Austen Chamberlain said that he did not like to say more about them. He imagined that the first serious discussion on them would take place in the Disarmament Committee itself. It is understood that the compromise is one of principles, which, if accepted by the other great Naval Powers, could be adopted by the Preparatory Commission for submission to the Security and Disarmament Conference.

ATTITUDE OF UNITED STATES CONFERENCE UNLIKELY BEFORE 1931 (Australian Press Association.) Washington, July 3J. Officials declared that the conclusion of the naval agreement between Britain and France would probably facilitate a general agreement for the limitation of auxiliary naval vessels. Details of the British and French agreement have not yet reached Washington, but. whatever the actual terms are, it is declared that the American naval armament policy will not lie altered nor will the United States be likely to consent to a new naval conference before 1931, the date of the meeting set by the Washington Treaty of 1921.

THE KELLOGG PACT OFFICIAL INVITATION FROM FRANCE SIGNATORIES FOR DOMINIONS ■ (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, July 31. ’The British Government has now re reived an official invitation from the French Government to sign the Kellogg Peace Treaty in Paris on August 27. Similiar invitations are being transmitted to the Dominions Governments. Sir Austen Chamberlain yesterday in the House of Commons expressed the hope that it might be his good fortune to go to Paris to sign the Tt. ty on behalf of this country. Whom the Dominions Governments will designate to sign the Treaty will be known when they reply to the invitations. (Australian Press Assn. —Untied Service.) London, July 31. Official: The French invitations to Britain and the Dominions to sign the Kellogg Paet in Paris on August 27 has reached Sir Austen Chamberlain. Copies will be instantly transmitted to Australia and New Zealand. The hope is expressed that both will mark the big occasion by separately signing.