PREPARING A WAY

Taranaki Daily News, 22 June 1935, Page 7

PREPARING A WAY

ARMAMENT CONFERENCE

OBJECT OF GREAT BRITAIN

TALKS WITH MUSSOLINI

MR. EDEN TO VISIT ROME

By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. London, June 20.

The Prime Minister, Mr. Stanley Baldwin, was asked in the House of Commons whether the Anglo-German naval construction agreement, fixing German naval strength at 35 per cent, of the British Navy, was an indication of the British Government’s intention to arrange bilateral agreements with other States on the regulation of armaments. Mr. Baldwin replied: ‘As stated in the first paragraph of the Note which the Foreign Secretary addressed to Herr von Ribbentrop on June 18, the primary purpose of conversations with the representatives of the German Government was to prepare the way for the holding of a general conference on the subject of limitation of naval armaments.

“An agreement has been reached furnishing a fixed point of departure for further discussion with the other Powers and does not alter the final object of the discussion, namely, the ultimate conclusion of a general naval treaty.” Mr. W. Thome (Labour), following Mr, Baldwin, asked: “Does not the AngloGerman naval agreement directly conflict with the Versailles Treaty? Will not the Anglo-French-Italian agreement have to be revised?” Mr. Baldwin demanded notice of the questions. The Minister for League of Nations Affairs, Mr. R. A. Eden, called on the Prime Minister before leaving this afternoon for Paris, where he will discuss the Anglo-German naval agreement and other European questions, including proposals for the air pact.

SIGNOR MUSSOLINI AGREES.

The British Government has suggested to the Italian Government that it might be useful if Mr. Eden, after his discussions with M. Laval, should go on to Italy to discuss with Signor Mussolini the same questions which will form the subject of his talks in Paris. A reply has been received from Signor Mussolini welcoming the suggestion. . ' Herr von Ribbentrop called at No. 10 Downing Street to-day and had a long conversation with the Prime Minister. The Anglo-German naval talks were continued at the Admiralty and are expected to conclude qn Saturday, in which case the German delegation will return to Berlin on Sunday. The spokesman of the German War Ministry Stated at Berlin that the AngloGerman agreement would not affect the constitution of the German military, naval or air forces. The War Ministry remained the supreme authority and did not intend appointing Secretaries of State for each arm as before the war. • A writer in the Volkischer Beobachter, the official Nazi paper, voices the official view that the agreement declares that Germany is entitled to 183,750 tons of battleships', of which she already posseses three pocket battleships of 10,000 tons each. She may also build two aircraft carriers of 20,000 tons, five 10,000-ton cruisers or a larger number of light cruisers. She possesses six of the Emden type of cruisers, enabling the construction of 32,000 tons of new vessels. Germany is also entitled to add to her existing 12 800-ton destroyers a fleet not exceeding -43,000 tons. Germany, for the present, will Hot exceed 45 per cent, of the British submarine flotilla.