MARKING TIME

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 112, 8 April 1930, Page 7

MARKING TIME

LONDON NAVAL CONFERENCE. M. BRIAND AWAITED. BRITISH PRESS ANXIETY. , (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received April 8, 9.10 a.m. LONDON, April 7. Until M. Briand returns to London to-morrow evening, the Naval Conference is virtually at a standstill. Mr H. L. Stimson and'Mr Ramsay MacDonald had a conversation this morning on the general position. The Anglo-Frepch conversations have been watched with great interest here and in Parliament, and anxiety is displayed in the newspapers lest any new interpretations of Article _l6 of the League Covenant should increase Britain’s obligations. ■ In the House of Commons to-day, Mr Arthur Henderson replied to , a series of questions regarding the interpretation of Article 16. Mr Henderson said that he could not undertake that no bilateral agreement would be made without consulting Parliament. Any agreement would be submitted foi ratification. . The House of Commons had not been consulted before the Locarno agreement. Mr MacDonald would make a full statement as early as possible. In the meantime, he appealed for a continuation of patience during the delicate discussion's. The Observer, which emphasises that if any practical or far-reaching agreement on naval reduction is to be achieved, France must be a party to it, says: “If it be found possible to gratify France by a restatement of existing obligations, whether embodied in the Covenant or in the Locarno letter to Germany, and thereby, after all, to induce France to agree to the serious business of naval disarmament, it is clearly the duty of British diplomacy to explore such avenue. That is the deliberate view of the British delegation.” . IN EVENT OF BREAKDOWN. FRANCE’S BIG NAVY PLANSReceived April 8, 11 a.m. PARIS, April 7. If the Naval Conference breaks down. France intends to proceed immediately with big navy plans by putting into effect the 1930 programme, providing for the construction of 18 war vessels totalling 40,000 tons. They will include a cruiser of .10,000 tons, six high seas submarines of 1500 tons each, six destroyers of 2500 tons each, and various mine layers and anti-sub-marine craft. Under the 1931 programme, France may decide on the construction of 55,000 tons, including a’ super-cruiser of 15,000 tons. FAST ITALIAN CRUISER. ROME, April 7. During speed trials a new scout cruiser, of 2000 tons, registered 41.5 knots, which is a world’s record. Eight cruisers of this type are already in commission, in conformity with Signor Mussolini’s plan to specialise on a, light, mobile, high-powered Mediterranean fleet. On April 27 four , new cruisers and one. submarine will he launched. USE FOR DOCKYARD. SEAPLANE BASE. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 7. Pembroke dockyard has been taken over from the Admiralty by the Air Ministry, to be used as a base for flying boats and seaplanes. The principal stations for these craft at present are Felixstowe, Calshot and Lee-on-tlie Solent. Pembroke dockyard, which owed its foundation to Lord Nelson, was regularly used by the Navy as a building and repairing yard until a tew years ago, when, being listed as redundant, it was closed for reasons of economy.