NAVAL CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 13 February 1930, Page 5

NAVAL CONFERENCE

FURTHER PROGRESS

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

(Received this day at 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 12. The British spokesman confirmed the announcement that tiie experts had settled a great deal of the tonnage difficulties, but left others to be overcome by the First Committee or the heads of delegations. His admission unit they had drawn up a table and loft blanks for the figures, strengthened the view that the chief agreement relates to the classiiication. It is explained that Mr .MacDonald’s

and M. Tardieu’s discussion last night was very general in nature. The figures submitted were only tentative with the idea, of supplying a basis on which to begin the actual work ofquotas. The American spokesman said though the Experts Committee bad prepared a tonnage formula it was an exaggeration to say it had reached unanimity. It certainly had on one portion, but not on the other He denied that the Japanese proposal to neutralise the Philippines had ever come under the notice of the American delegation.

OFFICIAL REPORTS

(British Official Wireless).

RUGBY, Feb. 12

The First Committee of the London Naval Conference met at St, James Palace this afternoon to consider the first report from the Committee of Experts set up on 6th. February.

The communique states this report contained proposals for reconciling alternative methods for the limitation of naval armaments, by a system of global tonnage or by classification by categories, as well as a table setting out a plan for the classification of ton-

nage between different classes of war ship.

After discussion of the report the First Committee decided to forward it, with their own observations, to the heads of delegations. The Committee submitted two resolu-

tions on the question of submarines referred to it for examination by the Fourth Plenary Session to the Committee of Experts for examination and report. . .

The Expert Committee will meet again on Thursday morning to consider the best method of dealing with special vessels outside the principal categories, and vessels not subject to limitation. The report of the experts referred to in the communique, is, a lengthy document. The ’ framework of the categories’ table, which is incorporated in it, leaves the figures of the tonnage allotments to each category to he filled in later, The • categories are as follows:—Capital ships, aircraft farriers, cruisers armed with 8-in. guns,..destroyers and submarines.

In the case of France apd Italy there is no sub-division between the cruisers and lower cruisers’ classes and destroyers, thereby giving complete freedom of transfer as between these classes. The blanks left in the table are for either of the countries to come into the scheme as they may see fit.

A PRESS BUBBLE,

LONDON, Feb. 12

Around Mr Tewater’s cryptic utterance yesterday, the French press again lias woven a story of Empire disunity. The “'Echo de Paris” says “Messrs Fenton and Wilford, had they dared, would have ranged themselves behind their outspoken South African colleague.”

.Mr Tewater, however, was merely suffering from an overdose of tact and caution. It has been ascertained wha' be, tried to convey was that he was unable to see logic in anyone trying to argue that submarines could lit any good. Mr Tewater told a. “Sun correspondent that several requests had been made to him for an explanation of his speech which seemed to surprise them. “There is nothing surprising about it. Having read other speeches, 1 decided to indicate what was in mj mind. To that effect’ I think we would get much further by an objective and not a subjective examination of tlie problem. The younger nations are anxious for peace and are coming here with a fresh outlook. We see the position in a better perspective than those on the spot. I endeavoured to speak as a representative of one of the younger nations, frankly expressing a fervent desire to abolish warfare.”

It is learned the First Committee this afternoon will create a submarine committee with no other hope than that of approximating the Franco-American motions into a restrictive convention.