NAVAL TALKS

Southland Times, Issue 25313, 17 June 1935, Page 7

NAVAL TALKS

ANGLO-GERMAN BASIS OF AGREEMENT . A FIXED RATIO (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, June 14. Herr von Ribbentropp and other members of the German naval mission, who returned to London yesterday, were received by Sir Samuel Hoare this morning, and later in the day there were individual exchanges of views between them and the members of the British delegation on certain technical matters. The British delegation will meet to-morrow, and a formal joint meeting of the two delegations will be held later. The form of the ultimate agreement that may be expected to emerge from the present discussions remains to be settled, but it is understood that the basis of it will be an arrangement whereunder German construction would be limited to 35 per cent, of British naval strength, calculated in categories of under-age ships, subject to such latitude as may seem necessary, and also that the ratio would not be subject to disturbance by any action of other Powers, or by any future change in Germany’s status. It will be recalled that Herr Hitler, in his Reichstag speech, when defining German naval demands, declared that for Germany this 35 per cent, ratio was fixed and abiding. Newspapers warmly welcome the prospect of an Anglo-German arrangement on these lines to take place in any agreement that may later result from international discussion of limitation of naval armaments. Other Powers signatory to the Washington and London naval limitation treaties have been informed of the stage reached in the Anglo-German talks. FRENCH~VIEWPOINT REPLY TO BRITAIN. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 7.5 p.m.) London, June 16. It is learned from Paris that M. Laval and M. Pietri have been deputed to draft a reply to the communication from the British Government relating to the Anglo-German naval talks manifesting anxiety, but the Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent says the Government has no intention of I accepting any position which would give France cause for alarm. BRITAIN’S PROGRAMME PLANS FOR 1936. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 7.5 p.m.) London, June 16. The Daily Telegraph’s naval correspondent learns that the first long term British naval programme since the Naval Defence Act of 1889 is likely to be introduced in 1936. It is expected to provide besides annual new construction, the replacement of obsolete vessels in every category. _____