NAVAL AGREEMENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 238, 5 September 1928, Page 7

NAVAL AGREEMENT.

BRITAIN AND FRANCE.

RESULTS OF “HUSH HUSH” POLICY.

(Australian Press Association.) Paris, Sept. 4. The Daily Express’s correspondent at Toulon describing the AngloFrench naval agreement at present as both a muddle and a mystery, states: “America believes that tlie French and British navies have virtually become one and will be pooled, so that Britain can command the Atlantic, in return for special concessions to France in tho Mediterranean.

“Germany believes that the security against French aggression hitherto given by Britain has almost vanished, and that Britain will allow France to omit reservists when making a statement of her armed forces.

“Italy believes that France will he allowed to build as many submarines as she pleases in tho Mediterranean. “These are disagreeable results of the ‘hush-hush’ policy. The mischief can only be undone by the publication of the agreement.” BRITAIN AND ITALY. ATMOSPHERE "oF SUSPICION IN ROME. (Times Cables.) LONDON, Sept. 4. Tlie Romo correspondent of . the Times states that the uneasiness in certain Italian circles regarding tho Franco-Britisli naval agreement is re-' fleeted in an article in the Tribuna. Tho article declares that tlie fruits of the agreement are already visible in th atmosphere of suspicion and scepticism surrounding the Kellogg Pact, perturbation regarding Albania, and growing doubts relating to tlie disarmament conference.

A leading arcticle in the Lavoro D’ltalia expresses the opinion that the traditional Anglo-Italian friendship has seldom known such coolness since its inauguration in 1860. It is hoped that it will be a passing phase, but it is difficult to understand why Britain, which hitherto has realised Italy’s conciliatoriness, is now displaying solidarity witli France, which since 1919 lias persistently sought to diminish Italian influence. Britain must have full’; known that such action was opposed to Italian orientation.