NATIONS’ NAVY STRENGTH

Taranaki Daily News, 30 December 1929, Page 9

NATIONS’ NAVY STRENGTH

THREE-POWER PACT MOOTED

BRITAIN, JAPAN AND STATES

DISCUSSIONS IN AMERICA

By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. Rec. 5.5 p.m. Washington, Dec. 28A three-Power naval armament agreement between England, Japan and the United States was recommended on Saturday by the chairman, Mr. Britten, of the Naval Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, in commenting on the French memorandum on the forthcoming conference. Mr. Britten added that the French attitude should not result in the breakdown of the conference.

The same opinion was advanced by Mr. McClintic (Democrat), an Oklahoma representative and 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 would not make an agreement subservient to subsequent action by the league. The Washington correspondent of the New York Times says that the immediate reaction to the French memorandum was that unless the unexpected occurs France will not sign any treaty for naval reduction or limitation at London. In the opinion of those best qualified to judge France has solidified her position on naval disarmament so that no loophole permitting her to participate in the 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 agreement between Britain, the United States, Italy and Japan are regarded as rather promising in view of the 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 the prior feeling of discouragement has not been modified by the knowledge of its contents. FRENCH DELEGATES’ POLICY. CONFIDENCE OF THE CHAMBER. Rec. 5.5 p.m. Paris, Dec. 28. Following upon M. Tardieu’s exposition of his foreign policy, the Chamber of Deputies voted confidence in the Government by 34 votes to 27. The result is that M. Tardieu and M. Briand will go to the Hague and London 'conferenc-ee with the full authority of the Chamber.

FRANCE READY TO COMPROMISE. REDUCTION OF TOTAL PREFERRED. London, Dec. 27. Dealing with the general issue, the French memorandum on naval armaments indicates a preference for a limitation of the total tonnage, but declares France’s readiness to adhere to a compromise regulating the distribution of tonnage among the different classes of ships. France’s policy is declared to be interdependence in armaments. She hopes not to be obliged to deal with questions relating to land and air armaments, but. cannot help pointing out that the tonnage ad'equate for naval requirements stands in close relation to the general level of armaments. It adds that the difficulties will not prevent France from seeking a solution which will enable the powers so • doing from entering into mutual agreements without waiting for the conclusion of an agreement for the limitation of all armaments.

The memorandum contends that the reduction of armaments should be based on Article 8 of the League of Nations Covenant.

The Japanese delegates to the conference arrived in London and were welcomed on behalf of the Cabinet and. the Admiralty. The ex-Premier of Japan, Mr. Wakatsuki, who heads the delegation, emphasised the pacific nature of Japan’s policy and her readiness to accept a naval strength inferior to that of Great Britain. "We will do all in our power to smooth the conference’s path/’ he said. “Our people and Government are united in desiring a successful conference and not merely a limitation, but a reduction in naval armaments. Japan has never thought of aggression; all she asks is security.” The chief business of Mr. Ramsay MacDonald preliminary to the meeting of naval delegates on January 20 will be the choice of a chairman, who is most likely to be British. It is revealed that among America's minute preparations for the conference was an inquiry whether Australia, New Zealand and Canada, as naval Dominions, have separate votes, or whether the British Commonwealth will vote as a single unit. The British reply makes it clear that the conference is not regarded as one at which matters will be decided by vote, but that it will be one of negotiation, in the hope of registering unanimous agreements. This official intimation, coupled with the knowledge of Fraueo-Italian disagreements, strengthens the impression in London that the most likely result of the conference is an Anglo-American agreement something on the lines of Mr. MacDonald's discussions with the President of the United States, Mr. 11. Hoover, recently.

ATTITUDE OF UNITED STATES. FRENCH AND JAPANESE DEMANDS; Washington, Dee. 27. The Secretary of State, Mr. H. L. Stimson, has asked the French Embassy for a copy of tho statement on naval policy in which tho Tardieu Government demanded that the London conference should bo made secondary to the League of Nations disarmament conference. 1 ■

Mr. Stimson refused to comment on

the French statement as it appeared in the Press, or o» the dispatches from Japan revealing that the United States and Britain had refused to accept Tokio’s proposal for the 19 —10 —7 ratio in auxiliary vessels. Mr. Stimson said he did not believe public discussion of these questions? would be conducive to success at London. By inference, however, Mr. Stimson admitted that the United States had parried the Japanese request for 70 per cent, of the American cruiser, destroyer and submarine tonnage. Such action would be in line with the expectations that the Japanese original proposal was not final. SPANIARDS SEEKING A SEAT. — ASPIRING TO GREATNESS. < 1 Rec. 12.15 a.m. Madrid, Dee. 29. ’ It is understood the Dictator, General; Primo de Rivera, is negotiating to seen re a seat in the London naval fercnce on the ground that Spain is titled to a scat by its historical and-’ geographical situation and its national .importance, but particularly by ite in*”i tvrests, in the Mediterranean. General de Rivera . pointe out that < Spain aspires to become an important?: sea Power navally and comnwreia]M<||