BRITISH NAVY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 28 June 1935, Page 5

BRITISH NAVY

SHACKLED BY LONDON TREATY LORD BEATTY DISTRESSED SAFETY OF SEABORNE TRADE (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, 27th June. During the brief debate in the House of Lords on the Anglo-German naval agreement Lord Lloyd regretted the Government had entered into an agreement without consulting France and Italy. He said Britain’s cruisers and destroyers were in such a condition that some were unable to return from tlie Mediterranean. ‘‘The position is much graver tlian I dare tell the House,” he said. It would be bad for us if as much were known as ought to be told.” Admiral Lord Beatty said he was distressed and disturbed at the present situation. Our navy was not strong enough to guarantee the safety of our seaborne trade because we were shackled by the London Treaty. MR EDEN’S MISSION FRENCH PRESS PESSIMISTIC PARIS, 27th June. The newspapers are pessimistic about the results of the EdenMussolini talks and also do not expect much from the Eden-Laval discussions. “Lc .journal” says that the clearest thing emerging from Signor Mussolini’s communique is that Italy holds the same views as France, namely the necessity for a return, to the methods of the London Declaration of February. LONDON, 27th June.

Mr Eden arrives at Paris to-day to resume discussions with M. Laval.

STATEMENT BY M. LAVAL SOLUTION OF PROBLEMS (British Offioial Wireless) (Received 28th June. 12.3 p.m.) RUGBY, 27th June. Mr Eden returned to London to-night, having seen M. Laval in Paris to-day on his way through from Rome. The following statement was made to the Press by M. Laval: “Mr Eden gave me an account of the conversations he had just had with Signor Mussolini. Keeping within the framework of the communique of 3rd February, we concentrated on finding the best line of negotiation to bring about a rapid solution of the problems raised thereon. We shall continue to examine by diplomatic channels those questions which the shortness of the conversation made it impossible to deal with exhaustively. We both are equally anxious to co-ordinate the action ol our respective Governments with a view to the fulfilment of the programme of 3rd February. Mr Eden communicated to me the substance of bis conversations on the Italo-Ethiopian dispute.”

FRENCH ARMAMENTS LAND, SEA AND AIR PROPOSED EXPENDITURE OF 424 MILLIONS (Received 28tli June, 10.5 a.m.) PARIS, 27th June., Despite a huge Budget deficit France proposes spending £42,500,000 on land, sea and air armaments. Bills have been tabled providing for an increase of £14,750,000 for the army, including £9,500,000 devoted to strengthening establishments and making munitions; £24,000,000 for air; and £3,500,000 for the navy, mainly for modernising warships. Of £27,500,000 entirely new expenditure for air defence, £10,000,000 is provided for new aeroplanes, £500,000 for airports, industrial mobilisation and training of civilians.

The bills are not regarded as France’s reply to- the Anglo-German agreement because the increase could not have been decided on in so short a time. GERMANARMY MORE THAN A MILLION FRENCH MINISTER’S STATEMENT PARIS, 27th June. The German army to-day totals more than a million men said Colonel Fabry, Minister of War, at a meeting of the Finance Commission, in asking for supplementary army credits of £8,000,000. He added: '“The most extraordinary thing is that the Germans have outstripped us in heavy artillery which did hot exist two years ago.