NAVAL CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1930, Page 5

NAVAL CONFERENCE

STILL BEATING THE AIR

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

(Received this day at 10 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 13

The British spokesman said tlio chief event to-day was the mooting between Messrs MacDonald, Stimson and Tardieu at the Commons at 3.30 o’clock, with the object of getting down to figures in the blank table of categories. Meanwhile 1 all figures should be viewed with reserve, because actually none existed. Their preparation was the real talk on which the heads of the delegations and exports were at present engaged; To facilitate the work of the Conference a Japanese statement was in the possession of Mr MacDonald last night, and probably in the hands of other heads of delegations, but hitherto there was no discussion bn the scrapping of battleships. Seeming obscurity of the measurements of these is entirely due to existence of two methods of computation, there having been no change in the a. tualness of the ships. It was only the apparent difference in the figures with which the experts dealt. • Messrs MacDonald, Stimson and Tardieu also discussed the general position between the three countries, The Experts Committee in the forenoon discussed small unclassified vessels;' but have not yet reached the 'submarines! There is little possibility of a Plenary session this week. : " PARIS, Feb. 13. The press generally approves the delegations activities, but “Le Matin” asks against whom are they arming? Tim answer is former allies are measuring strength against one another as possible enemies. What then happens to the League of Nations? It is for France to raise the question. If the public regards the Conference with scepticism and lassitude it is because the real problem is not treated.

STATEMENT IN COMMONS

DEFENCE OF EMPIRE

(All Rights Reserved)

(Received this day at 11 0.m.) RUGBY; Feb. 13. In the House of Commons to-day, the Prime Minister was asked by Mr Baldwin what were the naval standards in respect of cruisers', and what were the reasons for the variation by winch the Admiralty Would be guided at the present time, and which.had led to a variation of those standards which were enforced by the late Government; and also what was the programme of naval replacement construction which the Government considered necessary to sustain the approved standard during the next six years. Replying, Mr Macdonald said the .decision to make the reduced number of. 50 cruisers as the minimum required for our needs, had been reached by taking into account

the measure of security accorded by renunciation of war by most of the nations of the world, including all the Naval Powers —not only those who the United States. With such powerful support for the Pact, the Government felt, justified in looking forward to a period in which armed conflict need not be expected. The. proposed reduction in the number of cruisers to 50, was of course dependant on the agreement at the Naval Conference, and the limitation of the projected building programmes being made by other Powers, and would be for a period covered by such agreement. The programme of replacement must to a certain extent depend on the nature of the agreements which might be reached at the Naval Conference, and it was not possible to state what they would be.

JAPANESE STATEMENT

DEFINITE AND CLEAN CUT,

“RUGBY,. February 13

The Japanese delegation to-night issued a memorandum setting forth their views in the light of the. recent discussions. The memorandum' expresses Japan’s desire to find a formula harmonising the global and category theories, and to agree to a proposal that no more ships shall be laid before 1936. She agrees that battleships should he reduced from 35,000 tons to 25,000 tons, with a maximum gun calibre of 14 inches, and also favours an ncrease in their age limit front 20 to 26 years. As regards aircraft carriers, she proposed that all such vessels, no matter of what tonnage, shall be subject to limitation. The limitation imposed in the Washington Treaty apnlied crly to aircraft carriers of over 10,000 tons and the age limit of these vessels when over 10,000 tons proposed to increase from 20 to 26 years that for all other types being 20 years. Japan attached great importance to 8 inch gun cruisers and needs a number of such vessels for her own protection, but is willing to reduce this according to the number possessed by other nations. Flotilla leaders and destroyers should also be limited. The age limit for cruisers should be 20 years, and that for destroyers 16 years. “Regarding submarines, Japan will co-operate with the others Powers in strictly regulating their use against mormit vessels. She favours a level of 78.000 tons, limiting the size of these cuift and fixing their age at 13 years. SUPER -RODNEY. , (Received this dav at, 9.40 a.m.l LONDON. Foh. 13. The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic

contributor understands, with a view -o persuading Japan to abate her 7U per cent ratio demand, the American delegation lias been considering the naval neutralisation of the Philipines. He learns also that Mr MacDonald has acquainted the Americans with the British Government’s unfavourable- view of the United States" super-Rodnev suggestion.