NAVAL CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1930, Page 5

NAVAL CONFERENCE

SOME DIFFERENCES

(United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.)

(Received this day at 9.10 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 3. There are indications that this week’s Conlci'come discussions of elastic tonnage will produce the hardest nut of the whole agenda in the French suggestion that there should lie one scale for Britain, America and .Japan, and another for France' and Italy. It is safe to say that the former Powers will oppose the application of the French idea to the transfer of battleskips am! eight inch cruisers, which would mean giving France and Italy freedom to interchange the whole range of ships "[’lie major powers are intent on confining elasticity to six inch cruisers downwards, covering both commerce protection cruisers and submarines, to which the French mind is apparently strongly wedded. Behind the idea of a separate continent scale is the right to transfer 2.) per cent. whi(o Britain, America and Japan would be limited to 10 per cent. Such a wider elasticity naturally raises a point that France and Italy, by building large cruises, could upset the balance of British, American and Japanese reckonings. Similarly it might embarass Britain whose commerce protection needs to extend beyond mere Mediterranean and African interests. Fiance so far has not discussed the nature of her claims in regard to submarines. It is felt that this problem must arise immediately, because the quotas cannot be tackled until it is seen what strength in submarines she and Japan desire. LONDON, Feb. 3.

A preparatory meeting of the First Committee in connection with the Naval Disarmament Conference, will he held to-morrow morning. > Mr Stimson will see Mr MacDonald this afternoon. No great progress is expected as a result of this meeting, as M. Tardieu and M. Briand are still in Paris. No fresh proposals have keen circulated owing to the elucidation of the necessary French and British formula.