NAVAL AGREEMENT REACHED

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19606, 19 June 1935, Page 7

NAVAL AGREEMENT REACHED

GREAT BRITAIN AND GERMANY.

RATIO OF 35 TO 100 DECIDED ON VERY SATISFACTORY TO THE EMPIRE. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received June 19, 11 a.m.) LONDON, June 18. The Anglo-German naval talks resulted in an agreement that the German fleet shall not exceed 35 per cent of the British effective tonnage. Technical questions will be considered during the next few days. Immediately the. German agreement was initialled British Government quarters stated that the agreement will stand regardless of the attitude of the other Powers. The Government declare that the agreement is highly satisfactory to the Empire.

TERMS OF AGREEMENT. LIMITATION OF ARMAMENTS. RATIO OF 35 TO 100. (Official Wireless.) (Received June 19, 1 p.m.) RUGBY, June 18. The agreement reached as the result of Hie Anglo-German naval conversations, undertaken with the primary purpose -of preparing the way for a general conference on the limitation of,naval armaments is embodied in an exchange of notes between the two Governments, now published as a White paper. Certain outstanding questions of a purely technical nature are still under discussion, but it is expected the conversations will be concluded on Friday. The note of the Foreign Secretary (Sir Samuel Hoare), and the reply of Herr von Ribbentrop, -the head of the German deelgation, bearing to-day’s date, were exchanged at a full meeting of both delegations. Formal Acceptance. Sir Samuel Hoare’s communication announces the formal acceptance by His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom of the proposal of the German Government that the future strength of tho German Navy in relation to the aggregate naval strength of the members of the British Commonwealth of nations should be in the proportion of 35 to 100. It adds: “His Majesty’s Government regard this proposal as a contribution of the greatest importance to the cause of future naval limitation. They further believe the agreement now reached, which they regard as a permanent and definite agreement as from to-day between the two Governments, will facilitate the conclusion of a general agreement on the subject of naval limitation between all the naval powers of the world," Summary of Explanations. Continuing, the note says: “His Majesty’s Government also agree with the explanations 'furnished by the German representative as to the method of application of this principle, and proceed to summarise these explanations : (1) The ratio of 35 to 100 Is to be the permanent relationship. (2) If any future general treaty on naval limitation should not adopt the method of limitation by agreed ratios Hie German Government will not insist on -the incorporation -of the above rates in any future general treaty, provided the method therein adopted for future limitation is such as to give Germany full guarantees that this ratio can be maintained. In All Circumstanoes. (3) Germany will adhere to the ratio of 35 to 100 in all circumstances. For -example, the ration will not be affected by the construction of other Powers. If the general equilibrium of naval armaments, as normally maintained In the past, should be violently up-set by any abnormal and exceptional construction by other Powers, the German Government reserve the right to invite His Majesty’s Government to examine the new situation thus created.

A Right Recognised,

(4) The German Government, subject to the exception below, are in principle prepared to apply the 35 per cent ratio lo the tonnage of each category of vessels to be maintained, any variation of the ration in a particular category or categories being dependent on arrangements to this end arrived at in any future general treaty, such arrangements being based on Hie principle that any increase In ono category would be compensated for by a corresponding reduction In others. If no general treaty is concluded, or If a future general treaty did not contain a provision creating limitation by categories, any degree in which the German Government would have tiio right to vary the ratio in one or more categories would be a matter for settlement by agreement between the two Governments in the light of the naval situation then existing.

OBJECTION FROM FRANCE.

(5) If, and for so long, as other Important naval Powers retain a single category for cruisers and destroyers, Germany shall enjoy the right to have a single category, although she would prefer these classes in two categories.

Number of Submarines. (G) in the matter of submarines, however, Germany, while not exceeding Ihe ratio of 35 to 10G in respect of total tonnage, shall have tho right to possess submarine tonnage equal to the total submarine tonnage possossod by tho members of the British Commonwealth of Nations. The German Government undertake, however, that Iheir submarine tonnage shall not exceed 45 per rent., except in Ihe event, of a situation arising which, in iheir opinion, makes it necessary for Germany to avail herself of Ihe right lo a percentage exceeding 45, in which case Hie German Uu\cru-

ment reserve the right to give notice to His Majesty’s Government and agree that the matter shall -be the -subject of friendly discussion before the German Government exercise that right. (7) It has been agreed that the two Governments will settle by common accord what adjustments are necessary in the -allocation of tonnage within the categories, it being understood that this procedure shall not result in any substantial or permanet departure from the ratio of 35 to 100 in respect of total -strengths.

In 'concluding, Sir Samuel Hoare remarked that with reference to reservation in Section 3, His Majesty’s Government recognise the right therein to set out an understanding that the 35—100 ratio will be maintained in default of an agreement to the contrary between the two Governments.

Herr von Ribbenthop’s reply confirms the terms of the agreement, and adds that the German Government are also of opinion that the agreement will facilitate the conclusion of a general agreement between all the naval Powers.

OTHER POWERS’ ATTITUDE. CONSULTATIONS WITH FRANCE. ITALY RESERVES OPINION. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received June 19, 11.40 a.m.) LONDON, June 18. Consultations between the British and French Governments are continuing. The Italian Note reserves opinion, but Italy is willing to enter the discussions.

SATISFACTION IN GERMANY. STARTING POINT FOR SETTLEMENT AIR CONVENTION HOPED FOR. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received June 19, 1.0 p.m.) LONDON, June 18. The Times’ Berlin correspondent says there is general satisfaction regarding the Anglo-German agreement, as a direct understanding at a time of national confusion. It is hoped that (lie psychological effect will be even more important, as the starting point for tho extension of settlements, including un air convention.

REPLY FROM ITALY. READY TO DISCUSS CLAIM. SECURITY OF CENTRAL EUROPE. United Press Assn. —Eict. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, June 18. Italy has replied to the British Note, Indicating that she reserves her opinion, but is ready to discuss the German naval claim at a later stage. In the meanwhile renewed efforts are 'being made by Italy to advance the security of Central Europe, particularly in the direction of removing sources of friction in the Danubian States. So far Signor Mussolini has not convened the Danubian Conference to be held in Rome. Dr. Benes, Czechoslovakia, M. Jevtic, Yugoslavia, and other Ministers are trying to speed up the matter.

LIBERTY OF ACTION. NOT BOUND BY RATIOS. (Times Cable.) LONDON, June 18. The Times says it is understood that the French reply to the naval proposals is stiller Ilian was anticipated. it declares Unit Britain is nut authorised to accept a percentage from Germany contrary lo the stipulation in the Peace Treaty.

France, therefore, considers herself free lo resume liberty of action and no longer lo be bound by the ratios hitherto accepted. The Tokyo correspondent of the Times says the Japanese Government has informed Britain that Japan does not. object to an Anglo-German agreement provided that it does not affect ! Japan's position or proposals. Japan believes, however, that Ihe future conference should be confined lo Ihe live Washington Treaty Powers and that 11 lore is nu necessity lo iiiL'ludc Germany. j