LONDON CONFERENCE

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 25, 30 January 1930, Page 9

LONDON CONFERENCE

THE PLENARY SESSION

POINTS IN PREPARATION

United Press Association.—By Electric TcU-

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(Received 30th January, 10 a.m.) LONDON, 29th January.

Inter-delegation activity ,has been lulled in preparation for the plenary session, which will not be the occasion to register an agreement, but merely to implement an arrangement to have a permanent Agenda Committee.

The proceedings are'likely to be brief. Mr. Mac Donald will stale the position in regard to tonnages. 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 the occasion for Mr. Mac Donald 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 that may be overcome, Mr. Mac Donald as chairman making a general opening and reserving a detailed case till a later session, when the experts may have a formula to submit. Mr. Stimson's broadcast really indicated America's desire in the order of business, first to end competition in cruisers and destroyers, then to abolish or limit submarines, and, thirdly, to reduce 'battleships below the 1922 agreement.

Singularly enough Sir Maurice Hankey's preliminary questionnaire suggesting draft agenda also puts battleships last, so everything points to the first real test being cruisers.

The British spokesman says that all the delegates, if they desire, may speak alphabetically to-morrow. After that there might be a general discussion, but there is still a feeling that there is insufficient progress yet to justify a full dress debate.