NAVAL LIMITATION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 31 January 1930, Page 9

NAVAL LIMITATION.

LATE EDITION

PROGRESS OF CONFERENCE OUTLOOK EXTREMELY HOPEFUL ITALY AN IMPEDING AGENT. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) deceived 12 noon to-day. LONDON, Jan. 30. Tli© plenary session and the introduction of to-day's proceedings leave an atmosphere of hope that Mr. •MacDonald’s optimism will he realised. Speaking to Pressmen after the session, Mr. MacDonald indicated, that they were approaching a settlement of a measure which had hitherto defied solution. This was regarded as expressing a feeling existing throughout the conference that a. big turn in the tide was imminent. England, France and America are now much closer together than ever before, while Japan has always been anxious for the closest cooperation. Thus many now consider that thene is not only an extremely promising outlook, but also that the general question of naval disarmament has reached a stage well beyond anything hitherto. Italy appears to be to some extent an impeding agent, with a. strong desire to fettle the party problem with France, and thfe (impression is fast growing that it is already a four-to-onia conference, in the face of which Italy can hardly hold up progress. The admission of the Press to the plenary session must not be construed into a belief that they are in the full confidence of the conference. Undoubtedly (had the plenary sessions been private there would hare been much more open speaking, and delegates do not disguise the fact that straight speaking, which alone removes misunderstandings, will he strictly confined to private meetings. PLENARY SESSION OPENS. PROCEDURE REFERRED TO Received 12.15 p.m. to-day LONDON, Jan. SO. At the plenary session of the naval ' conference at St. James’ Palace Mr. MacDonald, in the course ol his opening address, explained that the different interests and relationships between the Powers were exceedingly intricate ■ and could not be dealt with straight .away in open conference. The exchange of views with, the object of removing misunderstandings and paving the way to compromise or agreement had thus far proved mast gratifying. Signor Grandi said that the French and British proposals dealt virtually with the same problem, namely, global tonnage or categories. He also referred to the French intermediate idea of a transactional basis. Italy dealt rather with the principle of limitation on a maximum level, and her problem was essentially political, namely, the acceptance of a restriction of the fundamental rights inherent in national sovereignty. They, therefore, had to solve, first and foremost, what basis of reciprocal relative strength each was prepared to accept in the limitation of freedom of action in the matter of armaments for Italy. It was no ques- ■ tion of procedure, but of substance, but some thought that it was more prudent at the present time to refrain from discussion. TWO points Italy was prepared to await were procedure methods, but she did not see her way at present to commit herself on the question of method or any special point of the disarmament problem until the two fundamental questions of global or categories had been settled. Mr Stimson proposed that the question of the method of procedure, particularly the French and British suggestions for limitation by global and category methods respectively, and France’s proposal for the method of transfer from one category to another, be referred to a committee representing all the delegations for examination and report to the conference. Air. Gibson said that America had consistently favoured the category method as the best calculated to reduce international competition and the feelings of mistrust and suspicion. By the category method the nations knew exactly what the others were c-ontem-

plating, but the global system would leave an unknown situation, causing fear and anxiety and ultimately building competition. Mr. Stimson’s resolution was adopted.