NAVAL CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 20 February 1930, Page 5

NAVAL CONFERENCE

ITALY’S STATEMENT.

(United Pres* Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.)

(Received this day at 9.40 a.m.)

LONDON, Fob. 19

It is expected Italy’s impending statement of her naval, needs will approximate 447,000 tons by 1936. She will particularly emphasise the great disparity of submarines. France is now'builcjing filly thousand tons and Italy only nine thousand, while France ' already' possesses nearly five times Italy’s total.

ITALY SEEKS PARITY W r ITH FR’ANCE.

LONDON, February 19. We are hopeful of success, said M. Grandi, in a statement on behalf o) Italy. Our own document is based on faith and in hope of parity. It sets out that the Italian policy rests on two ''fundamental principles, reduction to one power standard, and equality with the strongest continental nnyy. \Vith regard to the proposed postponement of building capital ships, this means Italy would postpone 105,- ... 000 of the 175,000 tons assigned her K under the Washington .Agreement, but she is not prepared to consider the . abolition of capital ships and submarines, though she is prepared to undertake not to .exceed the total aircraft carriers tonnage, also the global tonnage; (at present not covered by the Washington Treaty) actually possessed by the strongest continental power. Italy would,give a similar undertak- . ing in respect of the total tonnage of submarines. She also renews the suggestion that the principal dimensions of "the hull 1 and main armament of all warships, be notified at least six months, before the keels are laid down. Italy is willing to consider more ex tensive limitations.

MARKING TIME. LONDON, February 19,

While the Naval Conference is adjourned, the Experts Committee is completing consideration of its subjects.

JAPANESE CONCESSION. LONDON, February 19. It is reported the Japanese delegation stated Japan was prepared to an-

ticipate the date, of 1938; provided by '. '• the Washington'Conference, for scrapping;, warships, but was not ready to scrap before 1934, when the fourteen r ' inch gun battleship Kongo becomes obsolete.

A FRENCH’ IMPASSE. PARIS, Feb. 19,

•M. Tardieu lias refused to reforir the Cabinet, or return to the London Naval Conference.