NAVAL CONFERENCE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17145, 30 December 1929, Page 7

NAVAL CONFERENCE

A NEW SUGGESTION THREE-POWER AGREEMENT (Elec. Tel. Copyright—Unitod Press Assn.) (Received Dec. 30, 10 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 28. A three-power naval armament agreement between England, Japan, and the United States was recommended on Saturday by Mr. Britten, chairman of the House Naval Affairs Committee, in commenting on the French memorandum on the forthcoming conference. Mr. Britten added: "The French attitude should not result in a breakdown of the conference." The same opinion was advanced by Mr. MeClintic,. Democrat, from Oklahoma, and a member of the Naval Affairs Committee, who said he- saw no reason why, if France and Italy should withdraw from the conference, the remaining nations could not negotiate an agreement which would avoid offending countries not participating. Referring to the portion of the French document stating that France had no objection to other powers making an agreement before a general scaling down of armaments by the League of Nations, Mr. Britten asserted that the United States will not make an agreement subservient to subsequent action by the League.

SPAIN WANTS A SEAT SEA-POWER AMBITION (Received December 30, 10 a.m.) MADRID, Dec. 29. It is understood that De Rivera is negotiating to secure a seat on the London naval conference, on the ground that Spain is entitled thereto by her historical and geographical situation, and her l national importance, but particularly by her interests in the Mediterranean. De Rivera points out that Spain aspires to become an important sea power, navally and commercially. THE HAGUE CONFERENCE GERMAN DELEGATION (Received Dec. 30, 11 a.m.) BERLIN, Dec. 28. The delegation to The Hague Conference will consist of Dr. Ourtius, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Heir Moldenliaur, Minister of Finance, HenSchmidt, Minister of Economic Affairs, and Dr. Wirth, Minister of Occupied Territories. The chief expert will be the banker, Ilerr Melchoir. Surprise is expressed at the omission of Herr Schacht, who is stated to be Unwilling to be appointed as an expert, and insisted on being a full delegate or nothing. He will be willing and available, if required, during the discussions relating to the reparations bank.

FRANCE'S ATTITUDE COMMENT IN AMERICA NEW YORK, Dec. 27. Tho New York Times' Washington correspondent says an immediate reaction to the French memorandum is that, unless the unexpected should occur, France will not sign any treaty for naval reduction or limitation at London. In the opinion of those best qualified to judge, France has so solidified her position on naval disarmament that no loop>-hole permitting her to participate in a five-power agreement is offered. The prospects, apparently, are that there is a possibility that a four-power agreement will eventuate from the London conference. The prospects of an agreement between Britain, the United States, Italy, and Japan, are regarded as rather promising in view of recent indications of Italy's attitude of sympathy towards the new effort for the curtailment of naval strength. Although the French Note has caused no further disappointment, it is taken for granted that tho prior feeling of discouragement has not been modified by the knowledge of its contents. ATTEMPT AT RECONCILIATION BRITISH AND FRENCH VIEWS EX-MINISTER'S ALLEGATION (Received Dec. 30, 11 a.m.) PARIS, Dec 29. M. Tardieu will confer with Mr. MaeDonald prior to the naval conference in the hope of reconciling the French and British views on some problems. M. Albert Milhaud, an ex-Minister, writing in .the. Ere Nouvelle, is of the opinion that Great Britain has made up her mind to leave American waters and the Pacific to the United States, on condition that she maintains supremacy on all seas of Europe, and en route to India and Australia. The Chamber has voted largo sums for naval and land defences. Tho former conform to tho fixed programme under which the whole navy will be rejuvenated by IM3. Socialists and Communists challenged, the expenditure on frontier defences,' (ontendiiitr that they wero out of harmony with France's pacific professions at Geneva and The Hague. M. Maginot retorted that France was more willing to work for peaco if it felt that its frontier was secure.