TO FRANCE AND ITALY

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 64, 17 March 1927, Page 9

TO FRANCE AND ITALY

NAVAL CONVERSATIONS

ABSENCE DEPRECATED

(United Press Association.—Copyright.) WASHINGTON, 16th March.

The' State Department hits published the text of the memorandum delivered to the Italian and French Foreign Ministers on 14th March in answer to their replies on the disarmament proposal.

Eegarding the fear expressed by the

acli Government that such negotiations would risk compromising the success of the work of the Preparatory Commission at Geneva, the United States expresses the opinion that all appropriate measures taken by the large naval Powers cannot but contribute towards facilitating the work of the Commission. The U.S. Department of State also expresses the opinion that far from undermining the authority of the League, such conversations would be of great service to that body in an advance towards a solution of difficult _ problems. 1" The Governments of Britain and Japan have now acceded to the. proposal of the United States, which therefore has. decided to enter into conversations with -these Powers. The United States hopes that both Italy and France will be represented in order to be cognisant of any agreements. ."'•■.

The memorandum points out that the United States has no preconceived ideas regarding a definite ratio of limitation of French and Italian tonnage, and says: "We do not desire to open up questions already settled by treaty, but wish to point out that other questions relative to the limitaion of naval armaments are open." The memorandum adds that in the projected negotiations each Power would have the privilege of taking any position it thinks best for its protection as a basis for negotiations Eeferring to Italy's refusal, on the ground of her geographical position, the. opinion is expressed that an agreement for partial limitation of armaments could expose no Power to danger from the navies of Powers not included m such understandings, since no agreement is contemplated which would not be subject to reconsideration and revision.