The Naval Parley

Northern Advocate, 5 December 1935, Page 7

The Naval Parley

BRITAIN IN EARNEST ANXIOUS FOR SUCCESS CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE REALISED. [United Press Assoclation.-By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright .] (Received 10 a.m.) LONDON, December 3. In the course of the King’s Speech in Parliament today the following passages occurred:— “My Government has Issued invitations to the Governments of other countries, which were; parties to the Washington and London Naval Treaties, to attend a conference in London this month, with a view to the conclusion of a new international treaty for the limitation of naval armaments. “I have learned with satisfaction that all the invitations to this conference have been accepted, and, 1 trust its labours will be crowned with success.” The “Manchester Guardian” says the composition of the British and American delegations to the conference have shocked the foreign chancellories which did not regard the conference seriously. Britain is in deadly earnest, as she realises the consequence of failure to reach an agreement. Mr Baldwin, in opening his address, laid stress on this Tact in most solemn fashion. A Jap. Move Hinted. The correspondent of the “New York Times” states that according to reports in diplomatic quarters, the Japanese delegation to the Naval Conference may revive the proposal for a bi-lateral non-aggression pact with the United States, which, if accepted, they believe would weaken American opposition to naval parity.

The Japanese are expected to argue that the United States, on the strength of a solemn pledge by the two countries that they would never resort to war against each other, would have no reason to oppose naval equality with Japan. It is believed that such a contention, would at least gain favour with Britain.'

It is felt in Washington that there is little likelihood of America accepting the proposed pact, as previous overtures by Japan for such an agreement were rebuffed.