NAVAL CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 29 January 1930, Page 5

NAVAL CONFERENCE

(United Press Association.—ByElectrio Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, Jan. 27. The British official spokesman questioned in rclereneo to the evening piper report which stated first that the Conference had decided not to discuss the question of abolition of subimu inos and secondly that Japan had raised the question of arming merchants was emphatically denied by a Statesman. he said no suggestion relating to submarines had yet been submitted to the Conference. The merchantmen question had not | been raised by anyone. ’Pile Franco-Bfitish meeting in the afternoon was abandoned owing to the necessity of Mr MacDonald attending the Optional Clause debate in, the Commons.

PRESS COMMENT. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 28. The indications are that when the battleship question does arise, the Americans will be inclined to favour a, limitation of discussion to nonreplacement of obsoletes pending a further conference, says the “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic contributor. They apparently consider if a reduction of size, number and gun power is discussed at present that serious difficulties and dangers may arise. 'For example, were America, Britain and Japan to reduce the maximum size of battleship from 3d,QUO ■to 25,000, they would lose 10,003 tons on each capital ship replaced, where as France and Italy which probably will not agree to proportional reductions would retain their, battleship quotas, roughly 175,COO apiece unchanged. Again, a decrease in the size of battleships might enable more vessels of this class to enter and to be docked at certain Pacific naval bases, hitherto unavailable for thirty-five thousand tenners, thus altering the strategic position regarding such bases established by the 1922 treaty.

Lastly, there may lurk in the American mind, apprehension of fresh difficulties with Japan, who points out they only accepted the sixtycentum ratio of battleships at Washington conditional if Americans refrained from fortifying fully certain naval bases. Should the status of Pacific fortifications be altered, Japan would claim seventy-centum ratio of battleships as well as cruisers. Describing the day’s proceedings, French delegates secured insertion in the draft agenda the question, of global tonnage, also the so-called compromifp proposals for limitation in each category according to national needs;.- including the right to transfer from one naval category to another, within certain limits. ‘ ■'

Grandhi then insisted on Italy’s demands for the establishment of maximum levels together with the question of percentages or ratios should also bo included. The Italian delegation contend they canot specify the until other Powers, meaning France, specified theirs. France won priority for her proposals by invoking the alphabetical order of the names of the Powers. There ensued a protracted and occasionally acrimonious debate between Tardieu and Grandi which was resultless. LONDON, Jan. 28. It has been arranged that Mr Baldwin's statement on the future Empire policy be made at a full party meeting at London on otli March. LONDON, Jan. 28. Mr Henderson seems to think that ■compulsory arbitration is an infallible preventive for war, says the “Morning Post.’’ Let him consider the analogy of industrial disputes and strikes. Nowhere are they so frequent and violent as in Australia, where compulsory arbitration is in vogue and just as the court there is powerless to enforce the verdict on a trade union defying the court, it will be the same at Geneva against a nation which refuses to accept the verdict of the court. Our politicians would be wise to remember the dictum of Admiral Blake, that the main, business of British statesmen is to prevent foreigners from fooling us.

CONFERENCE SEASON. LONDON, Jan. 28. London has acquired a new season, which might be called a conference sanson.. West End is more cosmopolitan than ever, especially at luncheon time and evenings. The wives of 'American, Italian, 'French and Japanese delegates are almost overwhelmed with invitations, and many whereof, take them into stately homes and historic houses never before seen by an American. CONFERENCE HAPPENINGS. LONDON, Jan. 28. Among questions, which have emerged to justify the constitution of a standing agenda committee, the most prominent is that of finding a formula for the discussion of global and categorical tonnages. It is revested this was a troublesome thread constantly crossing and recrossing the whole week’s discussions and it suggested once it is brought into propet relation with the other problems, more headway will he made. iFrom the frequency of private meetings at which French and Italians participated, particular interest centres in M. Tardicu’s and Signor Grandi’s speeches on Thursday. It is learned that Britain expected greater headway with the agenda. Indeed all Dominion representatives wore twice summoned on Monday hut the calls were countermanded at the

last minute. It is explained all Dominion delegates will not have seats on the agenda committee, but one will probably sit, in rotation as an observer for the rest.

M. Tardieu says the plenary conference will first consider Franco’s plan for global tonnage with categories, adjustable to her national needs, thereafter Britain’s category proposal and thirdly Italy’s suggestion for the a J location of definite tonnage to each nation. Signor Grandi intimated this was the general principle to which Italy was not committed absolutely. WASHINGTON, Jan. 28

The week’s /discussion of naval problems at London has convinced officials here there is no possibility of obtaining more than a six years “trial agreement” upon Limitations or reduc'ion of programmes. Recognition of that situation is judged to have greatly reduced the problems of the delegates, because it involves a review of undertakings which by ] 036 may contieiriably have become onerous.

MR STIMSON’S BROADCAST.

LONDON, Jan. 28,

Tiro 'dcasting to America from 2LO Mr Stimson mentioned among the aims of the conference was the abolition of submarines, l.f that were impossible, then a reduction of numbers and the prevention of their use against merchantmen, in. a ruthless inhuman manner, as in the last war. An agreement to reduce battleships would be the greatest contribution to international goodwill, and suen a reduction would relievo the United States in the next six years from spending three hundred million dollars on battleships and probably the same amount in the following syx years. “We have confidence in each other’s determination to make- a long step forward in the human progress of international goodwill,” stated Mr Stimson, who asked (Americans not to be troubled by reports of a •crisis rallied by j’mmiiviists, .AIR ti, ( . S e reports were unfounded. There were no crisises, only friendly goodwill. He added: “We think we can make the Conference a success.”

OFFICIAL REPORT. RUGBY, Jan. 28. Hoads of the five delegations at the Naval Conference decided enough ground had been cleared in the course of their discussions and private conversations to justify the calling of a plenary session. As a / British Cabinet Council is held weekly ion Wednesday mornings, it was decided to meet the convenience of British delegates by holding the session on Thursday at St. James’ Palace As many representatives of the press as can be accommodated, probably about 80, will be admitted to the conference room and it is expected the proceedings will be made audible to others in adjoining rooms by means of microphones and loud speak-

ers. , It is understood this morning f meeting agreed to the agenda, al though the order in which the items figure’ on it is liable to be changed [>y the course of discussions. A subcommittee which will act as a “steering committee.” was sot up to regulate the agenda as required.

While outwardly the progress so far made at the conference appears to he slight, the general impression of delegates and experts is that matters are shaping themselves not unsatisfactory. _ _ This evening Japanese and British Commonwealth delegates discussed questions of mutual interest and referred certain points to experts for report. .An official communique states French, Ihitish and Commonwealth delegations met this evening and considered a report of exports on matters connected with methods of limitation of the naval armaments. It was agreed that a stage had been reached that conversations with other delegations on the same points miglit usefully be undertaken.