REPLACING OLD SHIPS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18845, 7 April 1931, Page 9

REPLACING OLD SHIPS.

Franeo-Italian Rivalry. NEW ACCORD IN DANGER. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received April 6, 8.45 p.m.) LONDON, April 5. The Paris correspondent of the “Morning Post” says that the FrancoItalian naval accord is in serious danger over the question of the: replacement of obsolete ships, which was purposely kept in the background during Mr Henderson’s negotiations with Italy, trusting that it would be regarded as a secondary point, which could be settled during the drafting of the text. Mr Henderson thus secured Italy’s adherence to the treaty, though a discrepancy remained. It is now revealed that there are about seventy thousand tons short of the agreement, this being roughly the amount of the French replacements. The French delegates say that their claim was communicated to Mr Henderson, and they believe the Italians accepted, whereas the Italian drafters say they have Just heard of the point for the first time. fit was reported yesterday that the drafting of the Franco-Italian naval treaty was proving more difficult than was anticipated, and the members of the committee returned to their respective countries to consult their Governments. According to the British United Press correspondent at Paris the French viewpoint is that, while the agreement governs the number of replacements and the units to be commissioned before 1936, it does not govern the amount of tonnagl which can be constructed. Therefore vessels in excess of the allotted number could be built, provided they were not utilised at present. A message from Rome states that Italy is insisting on the observance of the spirit as well as the letter of the agreement, but she does not hold the opinion shared elsewhere regarding the possibility of a breakdown of the negotiations. On the other hand it is understood that the French authorities claim that new ships which are begun after 1934, but not completed by 1936, are excluded from the treaty. They claim, therefore, that they can build 66,000 tons in 1934, 1935, and 1936. but which would be completed after 1936, to replace obsolete vessels. This is stated to represent a voluntary sacrifice of half the tonnage that France feels she needs for replacement.]