NAVAL CONFERENCE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXX, Issue 11125, 7 February 1930, Page 5

NAVAL CONFERENCE

GERMANY’S POCKET BATTLESHIPS. PROPOSED INCREASE IN NUMBER. NATIONAL OPINION DIVIDED. United Pres* Assn, by El. Tel. Copyright BERLIN, Feb, 5. German socialists arc using the Naval Conference as an argument against the increasing number of pocket battleships. “Vorwaerts” points out that Germany’s navy construction has already afforded the French Nationalists with a basis for opposing the British and American desire to disarm. On the contrary, German Nationalists arc demanding six battleships similar To the Ersatz Preusser in order to protect the* German coasts against Russia. The Poland pence treaty permits Germany to build six 10,OCKI ton cruisers.

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BRITISH AND AMERICANS FAVOUR FRENCH PLAN. J i ATTLESI iIP SCR APP IN G PROPOSALS. DISMISSED AS “KITE FLYING.” United Preas Abbii. by El. Tel. Copyright LONDON, iFob. 4. The French say that the British and Americans favor the French plan of two cruiser categories, eight inch and six-inch, provided there is a lixed transfer. Britain leans to six-inch guns, owing to her multiplicity of world-wide bases, whereas the Americans are inclined to uightiueh guns suited Lo their lew scattered bases, but want transiers limited to small cruisers and destroyers. Other sources suggest that Japan will support the British formula, but she wishes submarines to be /untouched. The Americans do not conceal the fact that they are insisting on the exclusion nl ten thousand tonners from, the transfers. but are willing to allow some aircraft carried tonnage to be allowed ,small cruisers. vL'he .statement that America is willing to scrap three battleships ii Britain scraps Jtlie I igcr and tiliroe iron Dukes and Japan scraps.two battle cruisers, making the ratios 10/10.8. is dismissed as mere “kite flying. The Americans and the Japanese this afternoon renewed the discussions which began at Washington anent Japan’s desire for a 10/10 7 cruiser ratio.

The Daily Telegraph believes G- • the Conference will shortly get down to bedrock issues. arious powers are getting ready to table claims to tonnage allotment. Ib< Americans are ready when the moment is ripe to submit cut and dri**d figures of their requirements in all categories. Japan is awaiting the American statement before following suit.

CAPITAL SHIPS AND SUBMARINES. ALLEG ED BR IT J.SJ LA MEKICAX AGREEMENT. United Press Assu .by El. Tel. Copyright PARIS, Feb. J. The -Petit. Parisian’s special correspondent in London says an agreement- was reached yesterday evening by Britain and the United States regarding capital ships and submarines, whereby, by a naval holiday until 193 G reductions in cruiser tonnage and a diminution m the size of heavy guns will lead to a prolongation of the age Unit- of battleships. Britain and the United States also agreed not to demand the complete suppression of the submarines. but to consider that each country should have a limited, number with a small fixed tonnage and should also have a specified tonnage in each class oi light vessel.

S UG GESTED DEADLOCK. FRANCE ADOPTS PECULIAR ATTITUDE. LONDON, Feb. o. At the Nuauil Conference the meeting of the firs committee ended m something closely resembling a deadlock .according to the Daily Telegraph's diplomatic correspondent. The French standpoint, as expounded Avould make a clean sweep of all ratios, relativitv and inter-in-dependence. All’. Gibson (U.S.) strove hard to find a bridge between the British and French theses. All the delegation agreed, before the dose of '"the meeting, that such a bridge should and would he found. Platonic expressions, however, would not alter the facts.

IIUAIAXLSING SUBMAK.LXE WARFARE. FRENCH PROPOSALS ON TUESDAY. (Jniteu pres? Assn, by El. Tel. Copyright (Received Feb. 13. 11 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. After tlm plenary announcement was made the French lost no time in informing the press that Ai. lav. dieu on Tuesday will outline pro posals for humanising submarine warfare. (A convention for this purpose vas drawn up (in Washington) in 1922; but avus never ratified. The French delegates, welcoming the attempt to “ginger up” the confer, once Avork, declared: “The confer, cnee could be concluded in ten to tAvelvo days if certain other delegates agreed.”