NAVAL ACCORD.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20177, 4 March 1931, Page 9

NAVAL ACCORD.

GOOD RECEPTION IN FRANCE. REGARDED' AS STEP TOWARDS WORLD PEACE. (TTNITED FBEBB ASSOCIATION—BX EIICTMC TBLBOBAPn—COPVHIGHT.) PARIS, March 2. The Naval Agreement has been well received by the Press, and is regarded as an important step towards the organisation of European and Vorld peace. "Le Journal" congratulates Signer Mussolini upon the modification of tho parity demand, "showing a breadth of Outlook and a spirit of initiative which is the privilege of Governments free from Parliamentary control.'' "Le Liberie" and other papersabove all welcome the aocord as end: ing Franco-Italian irritations and frictions which resulted in a deadlock in the cause of disarmament. PACT WELCOMED AT GENEVA. HELP TO DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE. (Received March 3rd, 5.5 p.m.) GENEVA, March 3. League of Nations' circles welcome the new naval accord as enabling the opening of the Disarmament Conference in 1032 with increased confidence. The only apprehensions in this respect concern the Soviet's real intentions. ; Apart from this problem, the path leading to a reduction of armaments is believed to be clear for an advance to be made.

APPROVAL OF JAPANESE PRESS. TESTIMONY TO BRITISH EFFORTS. (Received March 3rd, 11.15 p.m.) TOKIO, March 2; Leading vernacular papers favour* ably acclaim tho reported FrancoItalian psyvjil accord, which is considered to be a testimony to British efforts in the cause of world peace.

renewal of competition PREVENTED. RUGBY, March 2." The British Ministers/ Mr Arthur Henderson and Mr A. V. Alexander, hive returned to London. , * When interviewed, Mr 'Henderson B ai(i: "We are fully convinced _ that -success could $Qt havo been achieved by any other method than personal contact, The agreement , provoata a renewal of the competition in naval armaments which w? very imminent. The immediate effect of tho agreement will be that the three countries concern oci will enter the Disarmament Conference in .tho closest friendship and i without making any pact whatever against,any other countries." So fished to emphasise , that there was no combination against any fourth country. .No Mediterranean .or _ any other pact was mentioned, The discussions, were confined to questions outstanding from the Naval Conference, In reply to a tolegrem sent by Mr Henderson and M. Briand announcing the French Government's acquiescence In the pact reached, at . RowCj Signor Orandi expressed his sincere satisfaction at the results, and tendered hi» ! thanks to Mr Henderson and the, British 1 Government fo? the very valuable work done in securing the. agreement; which constituted a weighty ,con» tribution to the work of consolidating the peace of 1 theworld, in which the Italian Government would always be ready to offer its willing co-operation. MANY CATEGORIES AFFECTED. LONDON, March-2. ! The British government is subwitt ting tlje naval agreement to Cabinet j tomorrow, or Wednesday,-after which it is being dispatched to Australia ana I. New Zealand. It involves ft mm & new figures, affecting many categories; "but, * in view of the; desire for to e#r« reply a short dispatch will be cawed, and tho lull agreement mailed. %