THIRD NAVAL PLENARY

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 26, 31 January 1930, Page 9

THIRD NAVAL PLENARY

PKOGKESS ACHIEVED

MACDONALD'S OPTIMISM

U-ilcd I'ress Association— Bj Kleclrlc Tel*

erapb—Copyrieht. (Received 31st January, noon.)

LONDON, 30th January.

To-day's proceedings at the Naval Conference leave an atmosphere of considerable hope. Mr. Mac Donald's optimism in speaking lo pressmen after the session, when he indicated that they were approaching a settlement of a question which had hitherto defied solution, was regarded as expressing a feeling in existence throughout the conference. The big turn in the tide seems to be that England, France, and America are much closer together than before, while Japan has always been anxious for the utmost co-operation. Thus many now consider that not only is there an extremely promising outlook, but that the general question of naval disarmament lias reached a stage well beyond anything hitherto achieved. Italy appears to some extent the impeding agent, with a strong desire to settle the parity problem with France. The impression is fast growing that it is already a four-to-one conference, on the face of which Italy will hardly hold up progress. The admission of the Press to plenaries must not be Gonstrued that they are in the Conference's full confidence. Undoubtedly had the plenaries been private, there would have been much more open speaking, and delegates do not disguise the fact that straight speaking, which alone removes misunderstanding, will strictly be confined to private meetings.