THE NAVAL CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 102, 24 January 1930, Page 11

THE NAVAL CONFERENCE

IMPORTANT TURN TAKEN ■ k 'l* ' " BRITISH AND FRENCH DIFFERENCES SETTLED METHOD OF DETERMINING LIMITATION OF TONNAGE I* s pnited Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. (Rec. January 23, 11.10 p.m.) London, January 23. The “Sun’s” special. correspondent says it is understood the Naval Conference took an important turn to-night as the result of discussions of-the British and French delegations at No. 10 Downing Street regarding the Anglo-French differences of opinion on the method of determining the limitation of tonnage. The French hitherto have maintained that the limitation should be placed on the total tonnage, while Britain has always considered that each class pf ship, should be limited. M. Tardieu had to-morrow’s speech prepared, but Mr. MacDonald Is reported to have suggested a modification, which M. Tardieu seems to have conceded. Accordingly it is believed that M. Tardieu to-morrow will propose that the basis of discussion be the total tonnage, with an understanding, however, that each nation shall have the right to transfer tonnage from one class to another, provided all the nations sign an agreement that any change should be adyised when any ship is laid down. This has been the principal stumbling-block between the British and French agreement. The utmost significance is attached to to-day’s conversations, which may eventually belthe forerunner to negotiations extending beyond the present lndeed, the “Sun’s” informant, who says that big things are in- the air, describes the position thus: “There is an increasing note of optimism that some reduction will be achieved in every category. It can definitely be stated that the French are setting out to be helpful to Britain, even if in their own Interests. It was always considered that France had Sir Austin Chamberlain in her pocket. Then France feared that Labour’s success would turn Britain against the French, but Mr. Snowden at the Hague reassured France, and since then all has gone well. M. Tardieu, who is shrewd and stronger than M. Briand, js going to run the conference for France. M. Briand is really a cipher.” The informant says that everything points to Britain not finding' herself up France, as was generally believed. He expects that America will - readily meet England and France, pointing out that President Hoover is most anxious for success, because his personal reputation also is stated on the conference. The informant pays a tribute to the British Admiralty’s helpfulness, while keeping a watching eye on the Empire’s requirements.

AUSPICIOUS START DEMAND FOR PROGRESS DETERMINATION TO REACH AGREEMENT (British Official Wireless,) * Rugby, January 23. Although it is recognised that the problems which the Naval Conference has to Mace are numerous and complicated, it is everywhere agreed that yesterday’s preliminary sessions gave it a most auspicious start. The King’s speech and the speeches of all the delegates showed that the' Governments represented unanimously recognised that world opinion demands of them progress towards disarmament. There was a determination to reach agreement which makes progress towards this goal. 1 ‘ , r The delegates will begin their joint discussions at St. James’s Palace tomorrow morning. Meanwhile to-day is being devoted to establishing further contacts and in informal conversations upon points which will come before the Conference. . There is considerable activity of this kind in Downing Street and at the different delegation headquarters. BROADCASTING OF SPEECHES REPORTS OF SUCCESS * British Official Wireless. Rugby, January 22. Reports from Europe and America speak uniformly of the success of the broadcast of the King’s and other opening speeches at the London Conference yesterday. The United States and Canada rose early to hear it. It was 6 a.in. in New York when the broadcast began, and, of course, much earlier m San Francisco. In Australia the reception was not good. Varying success was reported from South Africa, and in Cape Town, where the Prince of Wales is staying, with the GovernorGeneral, the reception was imperfect. J? Berlin, the BMening centre for the Continent, the King’s speech was received with great clarity and excellent strength. Engineers at the British Broadcasting. Corporation’s listening post could hear about two dozen Continental stations rebroadcasting the speeches. Among the distant stations they picked up was Manila, in the Philip-' pine Islands. In Great Britain an enormous audience listened in, and in many schools pupils assembled to hear the speeches. HEADS OF DELEGATIONS EXCHANGE VISITS London, January 22. An exchange of visits throughout the day between the heads of delegations followed the overnight conversations upon which the interesting announcement was made that the French delegation was delighted to find the difference of viewpoints not so great as might be imagined. The Continental Press variously values the opening speeches, but there is a general consensus that the outlook is hopeful. The “Petit Parisien” says: “The King well knew what he was doing by this sacrifice of Britain’s naval supremacy. He was saving the Empire. It was a great moment and produced a great man.”

ACTUAL BUSINESS FULL SESSION AT ST. JAMES’S PALACE (British Official Wireless.) m Rugby, January 22. The Five Power Naval Conference begins actual business to-morrow morning, when all the delegations will meet in full session at St. James's Palace. It is anticipated that at this sitting each delegation will make a brief, plain statement of its position. To-day there was much' activity at the headquarters of the different delegations, And a general interchange of visits between the chiefs. At Downing Street the Prime Minister began a busy day with the weekly Cabinet Council, which took place an hour earlier than is customary. Immediately afterwards he was present there at a meeting between the French and British delegatibns, which Colonel Ralston, the Canadian delegate, also attended. The purpose of this gathering was to review the points raised by the French and British Governments in their published memoranda of December 20 and January TO. It was found that certain points needed further elucidation, and it was agreed to consider these points at a further meeting next Friday. In the afternoon the Prime Minister proceeded to the House of Commons, where he remained during question time, after which he was visited by Signor Grandi, with whom he had a general discussion on Conference business. ■This evening he broadcasted from his study in Downing Street a message which was sent by short-wave station SSW and relayed throughout the United States. A little later he had a further conversation with the chief Japanese delegate, Mr. Wakatsuki. VIEWPOINTS EXPLAINED MUTUAL CONFIDENCE London, January 22. Behind all to-day’s activities lies the one desire to explain the points of view hitherto not clear. Thus the British and French led off with a forenoon talk based on recent Notes, on which explanations were exchanged. There was a quick reaction to Paris to the effect that the conversations were marked with absolute mutual confidence.

Directly the Frenchmen left, Mr. Stimson was closeted with Mr. MacDonald. Then Mr. Stimson visited Mr. Wakatsuki. Then the French and Japanese conferred. Late in the afternoon Signor Grandi sought Mr. MacDonald in the House of Commons. Finally. Mr. Wakatsuki had an informal discussion at Downing Stret. i . The upshot of all this was.the significant announcement that the British, French, and Italians meet to-morrow afternoon. This is interpreted as a general desire at the earliest chance to explore the quarter where the difficulties are most likely to arise. A formal Foreign Office announcement [said that the British and French delegates reviewed the points raised in the recent Notes again, and were nfeeting on Friday to elucidate certain points. When this was achieved the Americans, Japanese, and Italians will be called in consultation. The Americans proclaim themselves quite satisfied with the progress to date. MESSAGE TO UNITED STATES BROADCAST BY MR. MACDONALD STEPS TO DISARMAMENT (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, January 22. The Prime Minister, in his broadcast message to the United States, said: “Before the Conference started the delegations had been discussing their differences, and we are bard at that now. If it were a matter of two or three delegations, the differences might be adjusted in open conference. but when there are five, many exchanges of views arc required and delicate handling has to be adopted. The preliminaries for agreement must therefore be conducted to a great extent between the separate delegations. and can be openly debated only after there is a thorough preliminary understanding amongst the countries affected

“Although I feel sure an agreement will be come to I should like to warn all my hearers that there are many difficulties in the way. The question is how far can we all go together. Some of ns .are willing to go further than others in certain directions, but not so far in others. Some of us make proposals for reductions which do not suit others, and they in turn make proposals which are similarly rejected. It is not ill will; it is a problem of adjustment. “We shall strive to bring to the lowest common level all the programmes of the various countries so that two things will happen there will be no more competition between us in building ships, and secondly, the programmes will be reduced to the very lowest possible level and .then within it few years, say. five or six. we shall be in a position to make still further reduction. Thus we shall reach disarmament and secured neac«-”

SPAIN REBUILDING FLEET I, NOT REPRESENTED AT CONFERENCE FREEDOM FROM TREATY OBLIGATIONS (Sec. January 23, 9.40 p.m.) (United Proas Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) London, January 23. The “Daily Telegraph’s” naval writer says that Spain is not represented at the Naval Conference, is untrammelled by treaty obligations and is reconstructing her fleet. The programme includes the early construction of two battleships exceeding 25,000 tons, armed with six or eight 15-inch guns.

BRITAIN’S SINCERITY

REDUCTIONS SINCE PREWAR DAYS COMPARISONS MADE BY PRIME MINISTER (British Official Wireless,) Rugby, January 22. The Prime Minister said that he would answer quite specifically the statement which had beep very widely scattered that this country, while talking of disarmament, was showing no example. He said: “In the case of the British Army establishments there have been large reductions since pre-war days. There has been a limitation of personnel, material and military, expenditure generally. Our personnel to-day shows a reduction of 50,000 compared with 1914 and 150,000 compared with 1921, after the actual war forces had been disbanded. We are the only nation among the leading Powers who can show a continuous re-, duction in expenditure on its army. I am making no criticism of what other nations have done. lam only concerned to assure you that we have in this country already assumed some of the risks of peace by an actual reduction of fighting power. “The position in the British Empire in December, 1929, compared with August, 1914, presents a remarkable contrast which deserves to be pondered by those who speak lightly of tl;c British contribution to naval disarmament. Here are the facts: — Aug., Dec., 1914 1929 Capital ships 69 20 Cruisers with guns of Sin. and above 27 11 Cruisers with Bin. guns 50 43 Submarines 74 53 “As regards the Air Force, before the war the air services of the world were just struggling into existence and no comparison therefore can be made between their strength to-day and in 1914. In the course of tthe war. however. Great Britain built up a large and powerful force, which by of the Armistice comprised no fewer than 3305 line machines, with a personnel of 300.000 strong behind them. We were, in fact, nt a point to create the strongest air force in the world. After the war this powerful weapon was virtually scrapped, and to-dav tthe first line strength of the Royal Air Force on comparative lines is no more than 772 machines _ with a personnel of ~31,000. and the air fleets of other great Powers far outnumber us. Could there be a more striking evidence of the. will to peace in the British people?” A Grave Issue. The Prime Minister added:— “How much farther we can travel . along this road of reduction depends on the decision of those in conference with us, on those who are willing, to limit and reduce and tread the path of disarmament along with us. We cafinot go much further ahead alone; indeed, if we cannot get agreement we may be forced to expand. What constitutes the tremendous gravity of our deliberations is that the alternative to limitation is competitive building and the end of competitive building is war.”