RIFT IN CLOUDS AT CONFERENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19035, 2 April 1930, Page 1

RIFT IN CLOUDS AT CONFERENCE.

POLITICAL ASPECTS TO BE DISCUSSED AGAIN

(United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Received April 2. 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, April 1. In the House of Commons Mr MacDonald said that the Government had no intention of undertaking any commitments going beyond the obligations of the Covenant of the League of Nations, or the Treaty of Locarno. France had never asked Britain to do

A rift in the clouds developed in the morning when the spokesman announced that the political aspects of the Conference would be further discussed.

Mr Henderson and M. Briand assisted the Anglo-French experts in order to prosecute the search for a formula giving France the security she desired within the scope of the existing machinery for the maintenance of peace and also to strengthen such machinery. These conferences have already proceeded satisfactorily during the last twent\*-four hours and have been attended by district progress.

REPLY TO AMERICAN NAVAL PROPOSALS.

JAPANESE CABINET APPROVES OF TEXT. (Received April 2, 9.55 a.m.) TOKIO, April 1. The instructions to the Japanese delegation in London replying to the American proposals have been approved by Cabinet and have been submitted to the Emperor. They will be transmitted to London forthwith. It is generally conceded that Japan is practically accepting the proposals, with reservations regarding large cruisers and the tonnage of submarines.

HOPE OF AGREEMENT REVIVED IN LONDON.

(Received April 2, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, April 1. Mr Henderson to-day had an hour’s conversation with Signor Grandi, in addition to his meeting with M. Briand and the experts, the purpose being to keep the Italian Government au courant with the Anglo-French discussion on the political side of the Conference. Senator Reid, of the American delega- , tion, and Mr A. V. Alexander, First Lord of the Admiralty, also had a meeting this evening with reference, it is assumed, to the Japanese Government’s reply. Although it is clear that much depends upon the successful issue of an Anglo-French agreement on formula, there was a distinct revival of hope to-day that the Conference, which aphas a Three-Power Agreement within its grasp, will yet succeed in achieving its original aim of producing one acceptable to all five Powers.