THE NAVAL CONFERENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22779, 15 January 1936, Page 7

THE NAVAL CONFERENCE

UPPER LIMIT PROPOSAL A NEW DEVELOPMENT (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, January 13. A mooting between the English and Japanese delegations in the evening, arranged at the request of the Japanese, Captain Eden presiding, resulted in a fresh development. It is understood that the Japanese again stressed the desire that discussion on a common upper limit be reopened at the next meeting of the conference, and explained that there were points on which they required further information from Tokio. Accordingly tomorrow the meeting of the First Committee will again be postponed indefinitely. CRITICAL STAGE REACHED (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, January 13. A critical stage has been reached at the London Naval Conference, and much importance is attached to the decision to be taken at the next meeting of the conference, which will be held to-morrow. The conference at its last meeting arranged to resume on Friday, but in view of the Japanese delegation’s desire to return to its original proposal for common upper limits of total naval tonnage, postponement until this evening was agreed upon, and a further .postponement until to-morrow was accepted at the request of the Japanese. It is understood that a postponement was sought by the Japanese delegation in order- to offer suggestions providing for adjustments which would take into account variations in vulnerability and the needs for naval defence of the various Powers.

The newspapers, commenting on the subject, agree that if the Japanese proposal is put to a vote it will undoubtedly be rejected. They anticipate, however, that the other Powers will not force a vote, and that the conference will again agree to reserve the common upper limit proposals for further reflection and examination. This would clear the way for the Five-Power Conference to proceed with the problem of qualitative limitation. Fears that the Japanese might leave the conference if the proposals are not accepted, which had been expressed in some papers recently, appear to have been allayed, and the expectation is that the search for an agreement will continue in a spirit of goodwill which has characterised the attitude of all the delegations since the conference opened. BRITISH LEADERS CONFER LONDON, January 13. The Sun-Herald Service says that Empire defence, including precautions in the Mediterranean, the Naval Conference, Air Force expansion and navy rebuilding, were discussed at a meeting of Government experts to-day, over which Mr Baldwin presided. Mr Neville Chamberlain, Captain Eden, the Defence Ministers and the chiefs of staff of all services attended. The Sun-Herald Service understands that the Naval Estimates, shortly to be presented to Parliament, provide for, in addition to several new cruisers and destroyers, two new battleships to replace battleships which have reached the age limit under the Washington Treaty. The Sun-Herald Service adds: “ Meanwhile several of Britain’s most famous ships have been reconstructed or are being reconstructed with new_ armour and most modern fittings, making them as formidable as anything in the world.” TOKIO'S INSTRUCTIONS LONDON, January 14. (Received Jan. 14, at 9.30 p.m.) The Times naval correspondent says: “ The postponement indicates that Mr Nagano is encountering difficulties in carrying out Tokio’s latest instructions, enjoining ‘ no rupture but no concession,’ apparently meaning that the Tokio Government is still insisting on the common upper limit demand, but without pressing the question to a decision. The other delegations are perfectly willing to re-examine the Japanese demand, but only on the definite understanding that if it does not command assent it must this time be finally dropped and not revived. ‘No concession ’ may well prove to be incompatible with ‘no rupture’ unless the Japanese instructions are further modified.”