NAVAL TREATY DEADLOCK

Taranaki Daily News, 28 April 1931, Page 9

NAVAL TREATY DEADLOCK

BRITAIN ANSWERS TO FRANCE

FRENCH NEWSPAPERS’ CRITICISM.

CHARGE OF UNREASONABLENESS.

British Wireless. Rugby, April 25. A memorandum containing the British reply to the memorandum recently submitted tyy the French Government regarding the Franco-Italian naval agree-

ment has been communicated to the French Embassy in London. A copy, for the information of,the Italian Government, has been delivered to the Italian Embassy. Although the texts of the British note is kept secret, sufficient has been revealed to enable the newspapers to reiterate denials of French responsibility for the delay, says a Paris message. They accuse Britain of unreasonableness. The papers unanimously declare that the French have reached the limit of concessions and anticipate that Britain will refuse to consider the French case, which is described as impeccably reasonable. They declare that the present “misunderstanding’’ is due to Britain’? ambiguous three-cornered negotiations.

“UNOFFICIAL” REJECTION.

OPINIONS OF FRENCH TERMS.

Rec. 7.15 p.m. Paris, April 28. The British reply to the French proposals reached the Foreign Office today. Unofficially the reply is admittedly’opposed to the French suggestions.

Press comment shows an unwavering determination not to consent to the Italian claims for parity which, it is contended, is continually cropping out at every stage of the negotiations owing to Italy’s views of French replacements. A Rome message says it is semiofficially stated that Italy intends to declare the French proposals unacceptable.