35,000-ton Battleships

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 43, 21 February 1936, Page 7

35,000-ton Battleships

Failure to Reduce Size NAVAL CONFERENCE ACHIEVES LITTLE United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, Feb. 19. The Naval Conference, which is nearing a close, was caused surprise bynews that France, over tho heads of the American delegation, appealed direct through the Ambassador at Washington for a reduction in battleship tonnage from 35,000 to 27,000 owing to the cost of construction, ranging- up to £3OO per ton in France. The appeal was referred back to Air. Norman Davis in London, who is unlikely to acquiesce, though he may agree to a rcductiou in the calibre of battleship guns from 10 inches to 14 inches. Aleanwhile, France has agreed to a British proposal to solve the difficulty of inviting Germany to the Conference, which tho French regarded as being interpretable as a condonation of a breach of the Versailles Treaty by German naval re-armament. The proposal embodies the circulation of a draft protocol through diplomatic channels on tho agreements reached, the four Conference Powers inviting the signature of others, subject to ameudmeuts to bo mutually agreed upon beforo signature, which is unlikely to take place within six months. America Refuses to Budge Received Thursday, 9.50 p.m. ; LONDON, Feb. 19. The Sun-Herald says Britain lost a big battle with tho United States by failing to secure au agreement to reduce the size of capital ships from the Washington Treaty maximum of 35,000 to 25,000 tons. Consequently Sir ErieDrummond conferred with Alussolini and Sir George Clerk saw M. Flandin, intimating that Britain was compelled reluctantly to agree to 35,000 tons. France and Italy wanted a 27,500 tons maximum, but Alussolini agreed that the acceptance of 35,000 tons was inevitable. It is expected France will also concur. All the Powers are expected to agree to aircraft carriers of a maximum of 22,500 tons with (5.1 inch guns and submarines of 2000 tons, but even if France agrees concerning battleships the conference will not achieve anything of real value. France’s Fruitless Appeal. Received Thursday, 0.20 p.m. NEW YORK, Feb. 19. The Washington correspondent of the New York Times, says the French Government made a direct but fruitless appeal to the United States to agree at the London Naval '’conference to battleships smaller than the present maximum of 35,000 tons. The French Ambassador called uu the State Department and conferred with Under-Secre-tary Phillips. The latter indicated tho American position as repeatedly set forth at the conference could not be changed. Aleantlme the Navy Department has indicated that the United States is willing to limit the calibre of gun s to 14-inch instead of 1(5. Later Air Cordell Hull deprecated reports that the French appeal was considered as having gouo over the heads of the American delegation at the Conference. He stated that tho delegation had been informed of the step. sistent. It was impressed on my mind when Alareo was asked why ho did not get a doctor. He said he thought she was suffering from the effects of medicine he had got for her? —Yes. Re-examined, Dr. Keenan said. Alareo was very much perturbed at the hospital. Later he was calmer. After his wife’s death he was smoking a cigarette. A sister at the Auckland Hospital said Airs Alareo was admitted at 4p.m. She was very ill and had practically no pulse. Despite all measures takeu she died at 5.25 p.m. The next witness, Dreda Evans, said she had never seen Airs Alareo under the influence of drink. With. Doris Bransgrovc she called on Alareo the day after his wife’s death to sympathise. Alareo said: “Thank God she was not insured!” Marco also said that ou Thursday Thelma seemed worried because, she thought she was in a certain condition. Alareo said Thelma had said that if she was going to have a baby- she would end everything. “Ho told us he had assured her that was impossible. He said Thelma was uot well on tho Friday, so he had given her some veronal to make her sleep. On the Saturday he said Thelma appeared to be sleeping too heavily. He said that on the Alonday when he awoke he noticed that Thelma was a bluish colour and later he had got Dr. Dreadon, who pronouuced veronal poisoning. He said, the chemist had told him to take a veronal tablet and have a good sleep.” Witness said to him: “Surely you would not take veronal when you know the way Thelma suffered!” Alareo replied: “Thelma suffered no paiu.” He said he had not got a doctor before because he said he was so used to seeing Thelma “canned.” Just before they left Alareo said he was really frightened and he asked if they would help him if be needed them. ‘‘As we were leaving,” said witness, “Alareo took us by the arm and said: ‘They won’t hang me, will they?’ ” In cross-examination witness said she did not like Alareo. Air O’Leary: Are you sure it was in November that Alareo told you he gave Thelma brandy and veronal to keep her quiet?—Y,es; I am. You are sure it was not aspirin?— No. Similar evidence was given by Doris Bransgrovc and the hearing was adjourned, '