FRANCE’S BID.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 December 1929, Page 6

FRANCE’S BID.

FOR SUBMARINE SUPREMACY. [United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.] LONDON, December 9. The Daily Telegraph’s naval correspondent, commenting on the latest edition of “Jane’s Fighting Ships,” says:—No mystery ships are revealed this year, though the rapid progress in certain foreign navies is striking. The French Navy presents far the most formidable array of new vessels. France already possesses ninety-three submarines. Many more are projected. Italy has only 55 submarines Some of these are obsolete. No doubt France will eventually •become the premier .submarine power of the world. FR ANCE’S REFFUSAL. CAUSES DISAPPOINTMENT. LONDON, December 9. Tin* Aioi l 'iic Post’s Rome correspondent says: The Italian Governmet is dis-'-vointed at France’s reply to t’>" : *•'ban Note on naval disarmament. whi b reply is regarded as an evasion of the Italian thesis, inviting France to establish a minimum. No matter how low it might he Italy undertook to accept this minimum as her own figure. There is some surprise that A!. Briand has refused to accept the. proposal, pis it was previously thought that Al. Briand would have approved of such .a proposal. The French' reply carries the issue to another level, by a confrontation of the specific naval requirements of the two countries.