TREATY SIGNED

Taranaki Daily News, 24 April 1930, Page 9

TREATY SIGNED

LIMITATION OF NAVIES FRUITS OF THE CONFERENCE FRIENDLINESS OF POWERS NEGOTIATIONS NOT ENDED By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, April 22. The three-Power naval pact was signed at 12.40 p.in., Mr. H. L. Stimson appending the first signature. Whatever disappointment there was that . France and Italy were not encompassed within the whole of the treaty provisions found no expression at the final plenary session at St. James’ Palace. The speeches were full of optimism; everyone giving a word of benediction for the renewal of the FrancoItalian negotiations, of which Mr. MacDonald afterwards gave a hint. Each delegation signed the treaty en bloc in a vellum book. Mr. Stimson used his own gold pen and the others one which was later presented to Mr. MacDonald. Mr. T. M. Wilford, however, chose a plain, businesslike black penholder lying on the table. The full text of the treaty was circulated immediately after the signing. “I believe we have done work which will follow us, and that the conference has laid the foundation stones on which others will build,” said Mr. MacDonald. “We can suspend our labours and bid each other good-bye, carrying away not only the signed treaty, but the most precious of all factors of international peace—goodwill and a mutual friendly understanding and respect.” FRANCE’S PEACE POLICY. M. Briand said France’s whole external policy had been a ceaseless effort towards the organisation of world peace. France had never asked, nor sought, guarantees for herself alone, but always had in mind the security of all nations which might be called on to lend each other mutual assistance in order to prevent war, or to strive against it. France always thought such a mutual guarantee would bring about simultaneous reductions of armaments, thus differing from former alliances of groups, alliances which actually led to an increase of armaments. M. Briand said that France had shown a keen desire to find a means of effective employment of international security in all possibilities of a wide agreement for general reduction in naval armaments. Quite naturally the views of the countries represented at the conference showed they were not equally ready to pursue such a wide debate to Its logical conclusion. In conclusion, M. Briand said France specially congratulated the three-Power pact signatories on their achievement, but regretted that the agreement was not more general. “France will do her utmost to overcome this relative impasse,” he said. Mr. Wakatsuki warmly praised the statesmanship, kindliness and forbear-, ance of Mr. MacDonald. Japan had always followed the policy of a minimum naval strength for defensive__purposcs and also fulfilling its obligations for the maintenance'of peace, he said. Mr. T. M. Wilford regretted that the conference had not found a formula for a five-Power treaty. Though the threePower treaty fell short of his hopes it would restrain competitive building. New Zealand regarded the safeguarding clause as all-important, and it should halt the naval construction race. ITALY’S SATISFACTION. Signor Sirianni regretted Signor Grandi’s inability to be present, and voiced the satisfaction of the Italian delegation with the agreements reached. He pleasurably anticipated that a resumption of the Franco-Italian negotiations would result in an agreement completing the three-Power paet. Messrs Fenton, Chatterjee, Tewater, and Philip Percy, the latter in the absence of Mr. Ralston, expressed pleasure at the result of the conference, -which then adjourned. To-night Mt. MacDonald broadcast a ■speech throughout Britain: “We have done something to improve the prospects of pea<Je on earth,” he eaid. “Now it is all over I can say with.-.,the firmest conviction that if what we have done is immediately used to prepare the public mind to do more the conference will prove’ a great landmark, showing how i the nations are approaching abiding ■ peace.” The Daily Express says that the naval reductions in battleships means 4000 fewer officers and men will be wanted for the active fleet in the next two years. The result of the naval treaty will mean savings to the taxpayer totalling £100,000, €00 in building costs and £66,000,000 spread over a decade, in maintenance. On the contrary, there will be a loss of employment in the dockyards and shipbuilding. The reductions in personnel will fall most heavily on the officers now aged 35, four or five thousand of whom will have no chance of promotion. The men will be reduced by restricting entries. The Daily Herald says: “The conference has achieved the limitation, not tho reduction, of armaments. Satisfaction at the limited success must be chastened by the consciousness of _ a wider failure because the task to which the Powers pledged themselves at Versailles has not yet begun The conference and treaty must not be regarded as the goal, but as the starting point. “NOT ANTICIPATED SUCCESS.’ The Daily Express in an editorial states that tho conference was not a fluccess compared with some of the hopes it inspired. That must be the final judgment on the ambitious and ail ernorablo venture, but to the principal actor, Mr. MacDonald, there can be nnihiri" but laurels. I e Temps (Paris) says: "Ita y’s demand for parity made a general agreement impossible, but the conference endbetter than was expected a few weeks France retains liberty o Xn «”<! "K 111 t 0 “ W1 ° rer ’ Tte°'j n o“il de, Debole write’ltaly’s) demands the agreement would have been more compre-

hensive, but these were not of a nature to cause a complete breakdown. The differences can be settled elsewhere than in London. The main thing is not to allow them to cause an estrangement in Franco-Italian relatione.” Messieurs Briand and Dnmesnil left London for Paris this afternoon. The American delegates left for home this evening. Mr. MacDonald will fly tomorrow to Lossiemouth to resume his interrupted holiday. The conference demonstrated that the British Government lias learned the lesson that it pays to take the Press into its confidence, and adds significance to the compliment Mr. MacDonald recently paid to journalists for their help by the spirit of restraint. It also explains tho unanimous vote of thanks passed by tho journalists in Mr. MacDonald’s presence to the Foreign Office experts, Sir Arthur Wilbert and Mr. George Steward who, on seven days a week, assisted the journalists. RATIFICATION BY THE STATES. IMMEDIATE DECISION REQUIRED. Washington, April 22. President Hoover announced that the naval agreement will be sent to the Senate for ratification immediately it arrives in Washington.