FRENCH PROPOSALS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 February 1930, Page 6

FRENCH PROPOSALS

(United Pr&ss Association —By Electric

Telegraph—Copyright)

LONDON, Feb. 4

A (Naval Conference communique states; “The First' Committee .met this morning. In addition to statements made at the previous meeting, it had before ‘it (for consideration the French transactional proposal, being a series of draft resolutions outlined under the five heads: and also the British compromise.

The discussion opened on the basis of the French transactional proposal, a fi to which the Italian, Signor ‘Sirianni, the Japanese, Nagai Takarabe, Mr Gibson and Mr Alexander gave their viewpoints on the principles therein, after which the proposals were discussed clause by clause.

TRANSFER. QUESTION

LONDON, Feb. 4

The French delegates say the British and Americans both favour the French plan of two cruiser categories —eight inch and six inch guns—provided there is a fixed transfer. Britain leans to six inch guns, owing to her multiplicity of world-wide bases, whereas the Americans are inclined to eight inch guns suited to America’s few scattered bases, but with the transfers 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 of ten thousand tonners from the transfers, but are willing to allow some aircraft carrier tonnage to be allowed small cruisers. There is a statement that America is willing to.scrap three battleships if Britain scraps the “Tiger,” and three “Iron Dukes,” and Japan scraps two battle cruisers, making the ratio 15 15—8. This is dismissed as mere. kite-flying. The Americans and Japanese this afternoon renewed their discussions which began at Washington anent Japan’s desire for 10—10—7 cruiser ratio.

The “Daily Telegraph” believes the Conference will shortly get down to bedrock issues. The various powers are getting ready to table claims to tonnage allotments. The Americans are ready when the moment is ripe, to submit cut and dried figures of their requirements for all categories. Japan is awaiting the American statement before following suit.