NAVAL CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 15 March 1930, Page 5

NAVAL CONFERENCE

FRANCE’S ANXIETY

AT LACK OF SECURITY

[United Press Association--By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.]

\ PAIUS, Maicli .14. The press to-night blames everyone but France for the naval conference crisis. “Le Temps” says: The responsibility rests with those refusing to givo every nation a gurantee of real 4 security. “La I.iberte” declares: The AngloAmerican attitude towards security is a negation of all of the peace pacts. Asfter this, the I,ocarno Pact will be enfeebled, and the League of Nations will become a mere castle in the air. The England of -Mr Ramsay MacDonald jno longer speaks of an entente eordiale. It is now “everyone lor himsejf,” and this within three months of our troops’ retirement from Mayence under the Young Plan, giving Germany her liberty. The only thing now is to defend ourselves by other means than those which the Eng-lish-speaking peoples have rejected. Who now dare talk of disarmament?

ITALY’S ATTITUDE

LONDON. March 14

The “Daily Herald” understands that Italy is willing to sign immediately a treaty of arbitration and conciliation with France and eren to. modify her parity claim for the sake of a general armament reduction. The “ Herat,d” concludes: "We await a French response.” POSITION CRITICAL.

LONDON, March 13

Aifter a day of feverish activity among the heads of the Naval Conference Delegations, the conditions of the Conference to-night may be described- as unchanged and as being still critical. Mr Ramsay MacDonald had such a long / series of interviews that he was unable to attend the House of Commons even for the censure debate.

CONFERENCE TALKS

(Received this dav at in a.m.) LONDON, March 14. Further attempts were made to solve the Franeo-Italian difficulties indicated by the British spokesman. Mr Stimson bad a long talk with Signor Grandi who will meet M. Briand this afternoon. Mr MacDonald has invited M. Tardieu to Chequers for Sunday morning. It is explained that these conversations were initiated by Air MacDonald as Chairman of the Conference for .6 '■ the 1 purpose of pulling it together.