Real Progress Made

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 885, 31 January 1930, Page 9

Real Progress Made

NAVAL POWERS OPTIMISTIC Assessing Fleet Tonnage Basis CANDID TALKS RESTRICTED United. P.. i. —By Telegraph—Copyright Reed. 9.5 a.m. LONDON. Thursday. TODAY’S proceedings at the Naval Conference leave an atmosphere of great hope. Mr. MacDonald’s optimism, in speaking to Pressmen after the plenary session, when he indicated that they were approaching a settlement, which in a measure hitherto defied solution, was regarded as expressing the feeling that is existing throughout the conference. A big turn of the tide seems to be that England. France and America are much closer together than beforewhile Japan has always been anxious to exercise the utmost co-operation. Thus many now consider that not only is tbere an extremely promising outlook, but that the general question of naval disarmament has reached a stage well beyond anything hitherto achieved.

Italy appears to some extent to be an impeding agent, with a strong desire to settle the parity problem with France. This impression is fast growing. It is already four to one at the conference, and in the face of this Italy can hardly hold up progress. The admission of the Press to the plenary sessions must not he construed to indicate that they are in the conference’s full confidence. Undoubtedly had the plenary sessions been in private, there would have been much more open speaking, and delegates do not disguise the fact. Straight speaking, which alone removes misunderstanding, will be strictly confined to private meetings. A British Official Wireless message says Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, in opening this morning the third plenary session of the Naval Conference, said it was called to deal with the agenda, which had been circulated. The only item on the agenda was that of consideration of general questions affecting the work of the conference, and under this heading France, Britain and Italy had each given notice of proposals which they wished to advance as follows:—France first raised the system of global tonnage and the French delegation’s transactional proposal; secondly, what classification to be adopted; thirdly, the transfer of the amount and conditions thereof. Great Britain raised a system of limitation by categories. Italy raised first the question of determination by ratios and secondly determination on levels of the total tonnages of the several countries. INTRICATE PROBLEMS A Press Association message says Mr. MacDonald explained that the different interests and relationship between the Powers were exceedingly intricate, and could not be dealt with straight away in open conference. Exchanges of views with the object of removing misunderstandings and paving the way to a compromise or an agreement had thus far proved most gratifying. Signor Grandi (Italy) said the French and British proposals dealt virtually with the same problem, namely, global tonnage or categories. He also referred to the French inter mediate idea of the transactional basis. Italy dealt rather with the principle of limitation on the maximum level. Her problem was essentially political, namely, the acceptance of the restriction of the fundamental rights inherent in national sovereignty. They, therefore, had to solve first and foremost what basis of reciprocal relative strength each was prepared to accept in the limitation of the freedom of action in the matter of armaments. ITALY NON-COMMITTAL

did not see her way at present to commit herself on the question of the method, or on any special point of the disarmament problem, until the two fundamental questions of global or categories had been settled. Mr. H. D. Stimson proposed that questions of the method of procedure, particularly the French and British suggestions for limitation by global or category methods, aud France’s proposal for the method of transfer from one category to another, be referred to a committee representing all the delegations for examination and report to the conference. Mr. Hugh Gibson said America had consistently favoured the category method as the best calculated to reduce international competition and feelings of mistrust and suspicion. By the category method the nations knew exactly what others were contemplating, but the global system would leave an unknown situation, causing fear and anxiety, and would ultimately end in building competition. Mr. H. D. Stimson’s resolution wtts adopted. FRANCE’S VIEW M. Tardeiu, France, testified to the French delegations’ interest in Mr. Gibson's speech, and added that categorical limitation was more satisfactory for naval powers, but the global tonnage was better for those whose navies were not so important. The French delegation desired the question to be referred back to the committee. Mr. A. V. Alexander, First Lord of the Admiralty, thanked Mr. Gibson and paid a tribute to the extreme friendliness and helpfulness of all the delegates. Britain’s and the Dominions’ need of sea security was vital. Her proposals were based on the categorical system, in which she completely agreed with America and Japan. An important aspect of Britain’s proposal was that within each category the maximum tonnage of an individual unit was strictly limited, and should be at the lowest figure consistent with the exercise of the duties of that unit.

Britain did not ob ject to the proposal to ransfer the tonnage of one ship to that of another according to national need, and in view of the progress made at the conference, she was fully prepared to consider some system of placing tonnage transfer, if it applied to the least powerful type of ships. BRITAIN CONCILIATORY He hoped this would enable countries with less powerful navies to I meet their needs and requirements. | He could say, on behalf of Britain, 1 that she welcomed a discussion on I transactional proposals to which M. i Tardeiu had referred, and the appointment of a committee moved by Mr. H. D. Stimson. Mr. Ramsay MacDonald announced that the conference’s conversations would he continued, and from these further business would arise, which the conference would again be summoned to discuss. The plenary conference then adjourned sine die. The French proposals are understood to be that each Power should submit a maximum total tonnage by categories, which it would not exceed for the duration of the treaty. Thereafter each Power would be permitted to deviate or transfer certain agreed percentage as between these categories after informing the other Powers. Mr. MacDonald will confer with the Dominion delegates at No. 10 Downing Street tomorrow morning. Mr. J. B. Fenton (Australia) says nothing affecting the Australian fleet has yet been mentioned. Nothing is decided as to who will represent the Dominions on the Agenda Committee. Mr. Fenton tomorrow will be the guest of Lord Stamfordham, private secretary to ttie King, at lunch. Journalists of over 30 nationalities launched with the delegates to the Naval Conference, including Mr. T. M. Wilford. Mr. R. Wakasuki (Japan) responded on behalf of the delegates.

For Italy it was no question of procedure, but one of substance, hut as some thought it more prudent at present to refrain from discussing the two points, Italy was prepared to await procedure methods. But she