LONDON NAVAL TREATY.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20172, 26 February 1931, Page 11

LONDON NAVAL TREATY.

BRITAIN AND FRANCE IN AGREEMENT. «l . ' ■ ' \ ITALY'S ENDORSEMENT NEEDED (UNITED PItESS ASSOCIATION—SY ELECTEIC TELEGRAPH— COPiaiQHT.) (Received February 25th, 11.5 p.m.) PAItIS, February 25. It is understood that the position regarding the nival negotiations is that France and Britaih are ifa agreement concerning tho proposed figures for tho French and Italian navies. Rome's endorsement would permit France and Italy to adhere to the London Tieaty, but non-acceptance would render the Paris negotiations fruitless. The exact nature of tho Franco-British settlement is being kept a secret, out of courtesy to the Italian Government.

BRITISH DELEGATES TO GO TO ROME. (CNITEI) PRESS ASSOCIATION—BY ELECTBIC TEHSGBAPH—corxittaHT. > LONDON, • February 24. The negotiations on limitation of naval armaihents between Mr Arthur Henderson (Foreign Minister), Mr A. V. Alexauder (First Lord of the ; Admi ra It, yi and M. Briand and" M. Dumont (French Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Marine respectively) continued throughout the uav in Paris. Although no official information was issued, it is said that us tlie result ol the progress made, tho British Ministers decided to proceed to Home tonight to discuss the question with the Italian Government representatives. Broadly stated, the object of }ho present negotiations is to overcome the difficulties which remained after tho Five-Power Naval Conference was held in London a year ago. As the result of that conference a Three-Power Treaty was signed between Great Britain, the United States, and Japan, while France and Italy were to continue negotiations, which, it was hoped, would enable them to adhere to the Five-Power Treaty. The object of the British negotiators has been to facilitate a naval agreement between France and Italy of such a nature as would eliminate any need on the part of Great Britain to invoke Article 21 of the " Three-Power Treaty, whereby Great Britain, if compelled to do so by Continental building, might revise the limits laid down ih the pact. The other Powers who are signatory to the London Naval Treaty are being kept informed of all developments.