STILL NO PROGRESS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17229, 8 April 1930, Page 7

STILL NO PROGRESS

THE NAVAL CONFERENCE ANGLO-FRENCH DISCUSSION THE LE A (-1U E IX TERI‘RE TATI ON (British Official Wireless.) Roc. noon. RUGBY, April i. Hopes of achieving an agreement on the major phase before the .London Naval Conference are dependent upon the result of the Anglo-French efforts to devise a formula offering an agreed interpretation of article lb of the covenant of the League -of Nations, and the annexe of the Locarno Treaty which would satisfy the French security demands, but would no: increase Britain’s overseas commitments.

The newspapers point out that it agreements were made it remains to lx seen whether a formula acceptable to Britain would lead to a substantial reduction of French tonnage and solve tiie problem caused by Italy’s demand for parity with the largest Continenial naval power.

The A agio-French conversations have been watched with great interest here and in Parliament, and press anxiety is displayed lest any new interpretations should increase Britain s obligations.

M. Briand is expected to return to London to-morrow, after his week-end consultation with Al. Tardieu in .regard to formulae which _ have been tentatively evolved in the course ot the Anglo-French discussions in Loudon.

Messrs. .Stimsoo and MacDonald con versed this morning on the general position.

In the House of Commons, Mr. A. Henderson replied to a series of questions regarding the interpretation of article 16 of the League Covenant. He said lie could not undertake that no bilateral agreement would be made without consulting Parliament. Any agreement would he submitted for ratification. The House had not been consulted before the Locarno agreement was signed. Mr. MacDonald would make a full statement as early as possible. In the meantime, he appealed for a continuation of patience during the delicate discussions. lie was in closest touch with delegates from India and the Dominions. Mr. G. Locker-Lampson said: “Tn view of the unsatisfactory replies I shall move for an adjournment.” THE COMMONS’ DISCUSSION MOTION WITHDRAWN PREMIER’S EXPLANATION (British Official Wireless.) Rcc. noon. RUGBYApriI 7. Mr. Godfrey Locker-Lumpson, Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs in the laic Conservative Government, moved this evening in the House of Commons the adjournment of the House “oil a definite matter of urgent pul.lie importance: namely, the imminence of an agreement between the Government and foreign powers regarding the interpretation to he placed on article 16 of the covenant of the League of Nations, without an> consullalion with the Counvil of tin League, and thereby engendering sue pieion and endangering the i. 00,, reia tions with other powers.’ Tig! Prime .Minister, replying, said In was being asked whether, if there wa u any reinterpretation of article .16 of tin covenant involving fresh commitments, and if a reinterpretation was to he made he would consult other members of the Council of the League and give the House an opportunity of considering tin matter before any agreement involvin'.such a reinterpretation was entered into If ho gave a pledge of that character it would amount to this: That it would he quite impossible for this Government oi any other government to exchange views or express its views regarding the meaning of an article which was somewhat vague in ils meaning. As between France and ourselves, Germany and ourselves, or Czecho-Slovakia and ourselves, lie could not, make such a pledge. VVlia was more, there could not he such a pledge.

The Prime Minister •continued : “Refer cnee lias been made to certain work that wo have in hand ilist now. If we he discuss article 16 all that it amounts to is that one says to the other: "Wha! moaning do we individually attach to article 16? At Locarno that was not. the case. At Locarno Germany wanted an assurance as to what obligations it would Tie. undertaking if it joined the League of Nations. A PLEDGE. IMPOSSIBLE

“That is a very serious tiling. ’That is an absolute interpretation, which 1 say straight away can only he made by the Council of the League if it is going to have a.nv binding authority at all, but at Locarno that interpretation was given by poweis other than Germany represented there, and the interpretation was a new one in its language, which was not found in the covenant of the League. It. was handed to Germany as a guarantee and initialled and approved as an annexe to the treaty.

“1 am not raising that in any controversial spirit, but as a matter of history. No, one knows better than Mr, Locker Lampson that no Prime Minister or Foreign Secretary can give the pledge which he asks, for all we can do is to say that having ascertained as far as we humanely can the opinion of the country, and the opinion of the House, the negotiations and discussions on these subjects will be concluded with that opinion well in mind, and never ‘orgotteu at any stage. We have been doing our host during the last two and a-half months.”

Mr. MacDonald added that d the leaders of the parties consulted him he would tell them exactly the stale of affairs. This would not commit either of them to support, him, hut they would understand the difficulties.

Sir Samuel lloare. Conservative, said he would convey the Prime Ministers suggestion to Mr. Baldwin. The Liberal leader also accepted the proposal, because it was very desirable that foreign policy should not be the subject of controversy between the parties. Mr. Locker Lampson consequently withdrew his motion. IF CONFERENCE FAILS FRANCE’S LATEST THREAT BIG NAVY PROGRAMME (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Deceived April 8, I I n.ni.) PA IMS, April 7.

If the Naval Conference breaks down, France intends to proceed immediately with big navy plans by putting into effect the 1040 programme, providing for the construction ol LS war vessels totalling 40,(1(10 tons. They include a JO,OOO-ton cruiser, six high seas submarines of Lioo toms each, six destroyers of 2500 tons each, and various mine-layers and antisubmarine craft. Under the 1041 programme Franco may decide on the construction of f>f),0()0 tons, including a super-cruiser of 15,000 tons.