LONDON CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20517, 19 March 1930, Page 13

LONDON CONFERENCE.

HOPEFUL DISCUSSIONS.

'EFFORTS FOR AGREEMENT. DIFFICULTIES OF SITUATION. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, March 17. The feeling in Naval Conference circles, according to the British spokesman, is still one of sober optimism. The attitude of the French Premier, M. Tardieu, after his talk with the British * Prime Minister, Mr. Mac Donald, at Chequers, is interpreted as quite hopeful even to the extent of securing a five Powers pact. Britain's position has been definitely affected by the difficulties between France and Italy, which at present is the cornerstone of the conference. The conversations between Mr. MacDonald and M. Tardieu, the l.ist of which was held early to-day, preceded a long talk between Mr. Mac Donald and Mr. H. L. Stimson (America), with one between Mr. Mac Donald and Signor Grandi (Italy) afterwards.

All these talks ; resulted satisfactorily from the British point of view though not from the point of. view of those who desired to kill the conference during the week-end. The conversations are to be continued informally all - this week. Obviously* everything was not settled on Sunday, nor can it be said that France and Italy agreed to a ratio representing an acceptable relative naval equilibrium.

The interdependence of sea, land and air forces never—as was suggested in some quarters—came within the ambit of the convex'sations. Yesterday's discussions were qonfined to naval figures and did not touch upon new security guarantees. It would be. of tho utmost significance to Britain if an agreement suitable to her and to America in regard to the percentages of ratios were reached, but no suggestion yet has' resulted in an absolute general agreement on the matter. It does not follow that an agreement between America and Japan would be acceptable to Britain. Nevertheless there is little doubt that such would be the case because the American and Japanese delegations are so familiar with their x-espec-tive situations that they are not likely to arrive at a hard and fast agreement without the knowledge of a third party and in terms acceptable to that party. Still there is not yet a conclusive agreement either between America and Japan or Britain and America.

ANOTHER CHECK. TARDIEU GOES TO PARIS. PLENARY SESSION POSTPONED. British Wireless. KUGBY, March 17. The French Premier, M. Tardieu, has left for Paris accompanied by M. Pietri. He expects to return to London next week. The work of the Naval Conference Is likely to be restricted this week to informal interviews between the members of the different delegations. No plenary session is in prospect, and the problem of adjusting the tonnage figures 6f the five Powers within the categories prepared for them by the First Committee is the chief immediate problem. The difficulties of the European situation have been enhanced by the discovery by France that there is little likelihood of political guarantees being forthcoming in exchange for a scaling down of her tonnage figures, and by the insistence of Italy on parity with the largest Continental naval.Power. The fact that the week-end discussions between Mr. MacDonald and M. Tardieu excluded political issues from their purview is taken as a recognition by France that adjustments must be on a basis of figures. It is anticipated that the discussions on this subject will be prolonged and it is improbable, that any marked advance will be made this week.

It is regarded as certain that the conference will not break down before M. Tardieu returns to London. Mr. MacDonald is to dine this evening with the members of the French delegation at the French Embassy.