NEGOTIATIONS ON NAVIES

Taranaki Daily News, 26 February 1931, Page 5

NEGOTIATIONS ON NAVIES

PROGRESS MADE IN PARIS

ANGLO-FRENCH AGREEMENT

ROME’S SANCTION NEEDED

BRITISH PROCEED TO ITALY

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright

Rec. HAO p.m. Paris, Feb. 25. It is understood the position regarding the naval negotiations is that France and Britain are in agreement concerning the proposed figures for French and Italian navies. Endorsement by Rome would permit France and Italy to adhere to the London treaty but non-acceptance would render the Paris negotiations fruitless. The exact nature of the Franco-British settlement is being kept secret out of courtesy to the Italian Government. The negotiations between Mr. A. Henderson and Mr. A. V. Alexander (British Foreign Secretary and First Lord of the Admiralty), and M. Briand and M. Dumont (the French Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Marine) were continued throughout yesterday in Paris. Although no official information was issued it is understood that as a result of the progress made the British Ministers decided to proceed to Rome to discuss the question with the Italian Government. representatives.

Broadly stated, the object of the present negotiations .is to overcome the difficulties which remained after the five powers’ naval conference in London a year ago. As a result of that conference a three-Powep treaty was signed between Britain, the United States of America and Japan, while France and Italy were to continue negotiations which it Was hoped would enable them to adhere to the live-Power treaty." The object of the British negotiations bad been to facilitate a naval agreement between France and Italy of such a nature as would eliminate the need on the part of Britain to invoke article 21 of the three-Power treaty, whereby Britain, if compelled to do so by Continental building, might revise the limits laid down by the pact. The other Powers that were signatories to the London Naval Treaty are being kept informed of all developments.