TEST FOR STATESMEN.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17981, 28 March 1930, Page 7

TEST FOR STATESMEN.

JAPANESE PREMIER’S TASK POWERFUL NAVAL INTERESTS. OPPOSE AMERICAN PROPOSAL. United Press Assn.—Eloc. Tel.—Copyright. (Received March 28, 9.15 a.m.) TOKYO, March 27. The Japanese Prime Minister (Mr Asachi Hamaguchi) is facing a most severe test of statesmanship on the question of instructions to London in reply lo the American proposal, which is bitterly opposed by powerful naval interests capable of wrecking the cabinet. Admiral Kato, head of the naval staff threatens to resign unless the original demands are upheld. It will be several days before a reply is possible, and meanwhile the Civil authorities are apparently hopelessly endeavouring to reconcile the naval diehards. NEW PHASE ENTERED. FRANCO-ITALIAN DEADLOCK. PROGRESS OF CONVERSATIONS. {Official Wireless.) (Received March 28, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, March 27. With this afternoon's meeting of |he delegations the London Naval Conference is generally regarded as having entered upon a new phase. The issues confronting the conference are clearly defined, the work of the experts having cleared the' ground of certain technical difficulties. The Franco-Italiar deadlock remains the chief obstacle to further Advance but, following the conciliatory speech of the French Foreign Minister, M. Briand in the Senate last week, hopes are entertained that a solution may be found and that a Five Power Agreement, which is still the sole aim of the Conference may be achieved. M. Briand had a long conversation with the Foreign Secretary (MT A. Henderson) this morning, a.nd it I s understood that Ihe political aspects of the problem before the conference were touched upon. The Prime Minister, who entertained the United States experts attached to the Conference and their wives al luncheon at his official residence, had a short conversation with Mr Wakatsuki, the chief Japanese delegate, just before a full meeting of the heads of the delegations was held at St. James' Palace this afternoon. Political issues were not raised at that meeting, which was very brief, but it is probable mey will play an important part in the conversations, which as a communique indicates, are contemplated in the course of next week. The communique says: “The discussion concerning the next plenary session was continued from the point where it had been left at the previous meeting. It was agreed that a plenary session should he held on Friday of next week when the progress of conversations being held between tin members of tiic various delegations and of the committee’s wo-k should be reported. The heads of the delegations will me. t again on Monday." CONSULTATIVE PACT. LECLARED A PIOUS FRAUD. CONFERENCE " A FLOP.” United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel.—Copyright. (Received March 28, 11.45 a.m.) WASHINGTON, March 27. The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (Mr Borah) today referred to the Consultative Pact as"' 1 A pious fraud,” which under the exigencies of the hour would be respected. Mr Borah stated he regards recent administration statements about a consultative pact in London as indicating a reversal of the policy •outlined in the first expression upon the subject. He said there was a time since the conference began when Mr Hoover believed that even the most innocuous type of consultative agreement would lie construed to imply a military guarantee in some form. The chairman of Hie House Naval Committee (Mr Britten) described it as silly and ridiculous. He declared i that the conference was “flop,” and; said ttiat American delegates should j recognise this and come home. LONDON, March 27. The British spokesman, Mr Neville Raymond, affirms that nothing is known in authoritative circles about Britain being willing to enter a Mediterranean Pact without obligations.