NAVAL CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 11 January 1930, Page 5

NAVAL CONFERENCE

[United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.]

NEW YORK, Jan. 9

Bofcrring to the Naval Conference, vSenator Robinson said: “My personal feeling is that the task of the Conference is both important and difficult. It would lie deplorable if the conference failed ,hut a failure will he preferable to arrangements that were consummated by intrigue. I am hopeful of successful results.” Senator Reed stated: “I am sure of the ultimate success of the cause of this conference. There has been less diplomacy exhibited over this conference than over any international meeting heretofore.” Washington despatches indicate that the American Government has very favourably reacted to Mi’ Ramsay MacDonald’s statement, viz: “We shall deal with every class of warships from dreadnoughts to submarines,” and that Britain is prepared to propose “a considerable reduction in naval programmes.” It is well-known that President Hoover wishes an actual reduction in building, and not a mere fixing of limitations. While it is being made clear that the American delegation will probably not be sympathetic with the""possible proposal to reduce capital ships beyond 25,000 tons, or to eliminate them completely, it will nevertheless approve of a reduction below 35,MX) tons, and also an increase in the active life of such ships 'from twenty years to twenty-five years. The American delegation, moreover, will approve of drastic reductions in destroyers and and submarines.

As concerns cruisers, the hope of President Hoover is that the American strength can be kept down to 3U),0Q0 tons. The “George Washington,’’ President Wilson’s famous peace ship, sailed to-day, bearing the Cabinet Ministers ,Ambassadors, Admirals, civilians, secretaries, clerks and statisticians who will represent America at the London conference. A great crowd on the quay cheered each dignitary as he arrived, and the regular passengers lining the rads of the ship took up the cries as the delegates and their aides hurried aboard. The last to arrive was Mr Stimson (United States Secretary) in the last hour before sailing. There were optimistic words for the press, forecasts of success, expressions of confidence, all delivered with an undercurrent of obvious consciousness of the gravity of the task ahead. None, however, was more optimistic than Admiral Pratt who said: “There are no technical' difficulties in the way of the conference. We should sail home with an agreement in two months.”

Mr Stimson said: “We have received everywhere exprssions of goodwill, hopefulness and success. We start off in high hopes of being able to accomplish successful results in our mission.”

FRANCE AND ITALY. ROME, Jan. 10,

The French reply to the Italian navi proposals, ■ based on an'“equality of sea forces, rejects them, and insists o*i a limitation based on a statement by each power outlining the construction programme ror any period covered by the agreement which may be reached at London.

Italy considers that such proposals will inevitably lead to an increase, instead of a. decrease of armaments, and the deadlock is producing pessimism regarding the Franco-Italian problem. Italian suggestions may he more successful at London.