THE NAVAL CONFERENCE.

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19816, 21 February 1936, Page 7

THE NAVAL CONFERENCE.

FRANCE’S SURPRISE MOVE. APPEAL TO UNITED STATES. United Press Assn.— Elec. Tel. Copyright, (Received Feb. 21, 1.55 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 20. The Naval Conference, which is nearing its close, was surprised at the news that France, over Hie heads of the American delegation, appealed direct, through its Ambassador at Washington, lor a reduction in battleship tonnage from 35,000 to 27,500 owing to the cost of construction. France was referred back lo Mr Norman Davis in London, who is unlikely to acquiesce, though he may agree to a reduction in battleship guns"' from sixteen to fourteen inches. Meanwhile France has agreed to the British proposal to solve tiie difficulty by inviting Germany to Hie Conference, which the French regard as interpretable as condonation of a breach of the Versailles Treaty by German naval rearmament. The proposal embodies the circulation of a draft protocol through diplomatic channels. Agreements were reached by the four-conference Powers inviting the signature ol' others, subject to] amendments mutually agreed upon be-. fore signature, which is unlikely within six months.