NAVAL POWERS IN CONFERENCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18499, 21 February 1930, Page 9

NAVAL POWERS IN CONFERENCE.

Italy’s Statement Issued.

CONDITIONAL LIMITATION PROPOSED. (British Official Wireless./ RUGBY, February 19. A Naval Conference communique issued to-night states that, as a result of the consultation between the heads of all the delegations now in London, it has been decided t t the Conference shall stand adjourned until Wednesday next. Meanwhile the expert committee set up by the First Committee will complete the work upon which it is now engaged. The adjournment is, of course, a sequel to the French political crisis, which involves the absence from the Conference of the leaders of the French delegation. It is understood that the French Ambassador in London was consulted upon and concurred in the proposal to adjourn.

The French experts are collaborating in the work upon which the expert committee is now engaged, namely, the allocation of so 7 called special vessels to category or exempt classes. -The committee will, however, not take up the examination of the submarine question till France is again fully represented at the Conference. The leading members of the other delegations are remaining in London during the week’s “naval holiday.” and will be in informal contact.

Italy’s Offer. The Italian naval delegation to-day presented their statement to the other delegations. It sets forth Italy’s willingness to accept as a limit for her armaments any figure, no matter how low, provided it is not exceeded by any other European Continental Power. The Italian delegation consider that the existing conditions of security resulting from international acts of such wide scope as the League Covenant, Locarno Treaty and the Kellogg Pact justify that downward limitation which public opinion in all countries demands. The Italian delegation propose the postponement of the building of capital ships authorised during the next six years by the Washington Treaty, and are prepared to consider abolition of capital ships. They are prepared also to undertake not to exceed the tonnage figures of the strongest European Continental Power in aircraft carriers, classes of vessels not covered by the Washington Treaty, and submarines. They would examine favourably any general agreement to abolish submarines and capital ships and to consider more extensively the question of limitation, should the Conference reach an actual reduction based on agreed ratios of strength. It was expected that Italy’s impending statement of her naval needs would approximate 447,000 tons by 1936. Italy particularly emphasises the great disparity between the submarines of the two nations. France is now building 50,000 tons and Italy only 9000 tons, while France already possesses nearly five times Italy’s total.

WEEK’S ADJOURNMENT OF CONFERENCE. ITALIAN STATEMENTS DISCUSSED. i . (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received February 20, 8.45 p.m.) LONDON, February 19. The Conference proper has adjourned for a week, out of courtesy to France; otherwise, in order to remove the impression in Paris that the remaining members of the Conference are continuing negotiations, in the midst of the French Ministerial crisis, and working towards tentative agreement, which might put a new Ministry in an awkward position, the Italians have cleverly chosen this hiatus in the work of the Conference to issue a statement of Italy’s aims and purposes.

In the absence of other vital Conference news, Italy has issued to the Press throughout the world a statement, which, of course, is intended as a reply to France, whose large demands embarrassed everyone. France, in brief, has treated the League of Nations, the Locarno Pact and the Kellogg Pact as though they had not made the least difference. She simply tabled her unaltered naval programme, drawn up years ago. Italy, on the contrary, reiterates her willingness to limit, or to actually reduce, any and every type of ship, provided France’s rjaval strength in nowise exceeds hers . Italy says she is even willing, by general agreement, to abolish both capital ships and submarines. Further, while France made only a statement that war against Britain and against America was unthinkable, Italy says the idea of war against any power, whether represented or unrepresented at the Conference, is totally foreign to Italy’s established naval policy. Italy’s readiness to adopt the lowest possible limits, acceptable to France, is contrasted with France’s demand for an unexpectedly large programme, and is bound to give Italy world-wide kudos, as being willing to do her utmost to make the Conference a complete success, by bringing about a real worthwhile reduction in naval armaments.

“The Daily Telegraph” says that British and American circles are favourably impressed by the Italian Memorandum, which is regarded as blending tact and firmness. The absence of any reference to Mediterranean pact and new security agreements, is notable. Though claiming parity with France, Italy plainly flints tflat she

will necessarily build up to the French strength in 1936, but only according to political circumstances.

“SPOILT CHILD OF EUROPE.” FRENCH ATTITUDE ATTACKED. (Unltod Pre»? Anioclntlon—By Sleotrle Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received February 11, 11.30 p.m.) PARIS, February 20. M- Tardieu has recovered sufficiently to visit President Doumergue. He declined an invitation to form a new Cabinet, or to act again as delegate to the Naval Conference, if asked. For a successor, it is believed the President will summon M. Camille Chautemps (head of the Parliamentary group of the RadScal Party), who is mainly responsible for M. Tardieu’s defeat. “The Daily. News” asks: “What Tardieu’s refusal will mean. Does France really intend to fill the role of wrecker? She apparently will not budge, unless she obtains some sort of security on the sea at the expense of Britain, as she obtained on the land in the Locarno agreements. This kind of political blackmail has no place at the Conference. France has too long been the “spoilt child” of European politics.