NAVAL CONFERENCE

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 88, 11 March 1930, Page 7

NAVAL CONFERENCE

ANGLO-FRENCH FIGURES. IMPORTANT DISCUSSIONS. LARGE CRUISER AGREEMENT. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received March 11, 10.30 a.m. LONDON, March 10. A communique issued to-day states: — “The heads and other members of the United States, French, British and Belgian delegations held a conversation at St. James’s Palace this morning. Certain technical questions were found to require exploration. “The French Minister of Marine, and the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr A. V. Alexander, accompanied by the technical advisers- and the American observers were asked to consider these immediately and report as soon as possible. In order to give time for a continuous prosecution of this inquiry, the Italians and the Japanese gave assent to the postponement of the meeting of the heads of the ‘delegations, which was fixed for three o’clock this afternoon, until Tuesday. “A further meeting of the three delegations will be held on Wednesday at three o’clock, or earlier if the technical report is ready.” The British spokesman, in explaining the communique, assured Press representatives that the question of a political guarantee did not arise. Instead the matter of the Anglo-French tonnage totals had been taken up in the hope of getting down to bedrock, with a view to fitting them into the category table. The presence of figures and of the American observers throws into perspective the course of the conference, which is tackling the Anglo-French figures. The first part of the morning’s discussion concerned the British, Japanese and American figures, which have now been put aside, very satisfactory progress having been made in this quarter. Nothing definite has been, decided nor will there be anything decided until the whole five-Power treaty falls into place. The Americans are looking on hopefully while the British and French figures are being discussed, because the ultimate settlement of the European figures must control the whole settlement of the British, Japanese and American totals. The allusion to the satisfactory progress with the British, Japanese and American figures is understood to refer to a complete agreement that the United States and Japan should have a ratio of 15-12 in large cruisers, leaving more tonnage to build smaller ships. Incidentally, America has come down to Britain’s idea to be satisfied with fifteen 10,000 tonners. POLITICAL SAFEGUARDS. FRENCH. ATTITUDE. (British Official Wireless.) Received March 11, 11.5 a.m. RUGBY, March 10. The utmost secrecy is observed regarding a series of important conversations which took place on Saturday and yesterday between the delegates to the London Naval Conference. It is understood that the purpose of these conversations was to enable M. Biiand to explain the French view, that if the naval armaments of France, representing a total of 724,479 tons, as set out in their Memorandum, are to be reduced, political safeguards will be necessary. These safeguards are interpreted by the Press to mean a Mediterranean agreement binding the interested Powers not merely to consult, but to take action, in a time of emergency.

It is well-known that the British Government, which under the Covenant of the League of Nations and the Locarno treaties, has assumed heavy responsibilities, is not willing to add to its burdens. The United States Government, it is believed, looks with disfavour on the proposal, even the signing of a consultative agreement. The Times says: “It is suggested in French quarters that if a Mediterranean agreement proved to be impossible, M. Briand might be willing to postpone the question ot the security pact and that this would not prevent the conclusion of a useful agreement on a number of technical matters between the five Powers, with a larger agreement between Great Britain, the United States and Japan. NEW WAR COMMITMENTS. OPPOSITION OF THE DOMINIONS. Received March 11, 10.5 a.m. LONDON, March 10. The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent says: “M. Briand’s conversations with Mr Ramsay MacDonald and the American delegates during the week-end revived, although less directly, the question whether Britain, as a condition to the reduction of France’s naval building, shall enter into further war commitments for the defence of French security. “France will not be content with a mere undertaking of the _ five Powers to take counsel together in the e'vent of a threat of war. M. Briand wishes them to declare war unthinkable as between any of their number, and also requires them to hind themselves, should war become imminent, to concert measures, including coercive measures, for the prevention of conflict.”

The correspondent is of the opinion that it may be safely assumed that further war commitments will be opposed to the uttermost by the Dominions. Without Dominion co-operation, Britain could not enter into such a treaty without grave risks, in the event of war, to a united Empire.

M. BRIAND AT CHEQUERS. (British Official Wireless). Received March 11, 10.5 a.m. . RUGBY, March 9. To-day, M. Briand went to Chequers to take luncheon with the Prime Minister. the other guests including the Foreign Secretary, Mr Craigie (of the Foreign Office), M. Massigli (a member of the French delegation). and Captain Bellair (of the Admiralty). It is understood that the conversations related to the political questions to which reference was made in the French Memorandum, and that M. Briand is anxious that the political implication inherent in the French Memorandum should be discussed by delegates at the Naval Conference.