NAVAL CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1930, Page 5

NAVAL CONFERENCE

JAPANESE QUANDARY

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

(Received this day at 9.40 a.m.) TOKYO, March 27

Harnaguclii is facing the, most severe test of statesmanship on the question of instructions to London, in reply to the American proposal which is bitterly opposed by powerful naval interests, capable of wrecking the Cabinet.

Admiral Rato, head of Naval Staff, threatens to resign unless the original demands arc upheld, it will he several days before a reply is possible. Meanwhile, the civil authorities are, ' apparently hopelessly endeavouring to reconcile the naval diehards. (Received this day at 11 a.m.) , LONDON, March 27. With this afternoon meeting the heads of the delegations of the London. Naval Conference is generally regarded as having entered upon a new phase. The issues confronting the Conference are now clearly defined, the work of the experts having cleared the ground of certain technical difficulties. The Franco-Italian deadlock remains the chief obstacle to further advantage, but following the conciliatory speech of the French Foreign Minister, M. Briand, in the Senate last week, hopes are entertained that a' solution may be found and that the Five Power agreement, which is still cue sole aim of the Conference, may he achieved.

M. Briand had a long conversation with the Foreign Secretary (Mr A. Henderson) this morning, and it is understood the political aspeits of the problem before the Conference were touched upon. : Tlie Prime Minister, who entertained the United States expert's attached to the Conference and their wives at a luncheon at his official residence, had a short conversation with Mr Wakatsuki, the chief Japanese delegate, just before the full meeting of the heads of delegations was held at St. James’s Palace this afternoon. Poliical issues were not raised at that meeting, which was very brief, but It is probable they will play an important part in proportion, which; as a communique indicates, are contemplated in the course of next week. A communique says: “Discussion concerning the next Plenary Session was continued from the point where it had been left at the previous meeting. It was agreed that the Plenary Session should be held on Friday of next week, when progress of conversations being held between the members of the various delegations, and of committees’ work, should be reported. Tlie heads of'the delegations meet again on Monday. • MR BOR AH’S :: vMW;' • WASHINGTON, March 27. Mr Borah stated he regards the recent Administration statement about a consulting pact of London as indicating a reversal of policy outlined in the first expression upon the subject. He said thdre was a time since the Conference. began when Mr Hoover believed even the most innocuous . type of consultative agreement would be considered to imply a military guarantee in some form.

UNFAVOURABLE VIEWS. WASHINGTON, March 27. Chairman Borah of the .Senate Foreign Relations Committee to-day referred to the consultative pact suggested in London as a pious fraud, which under the exigencies of the hour would be rejected. Chairman Britten of the House Naval committee described it as silly and ridiculous. He declared that the Conference was “flap” and said that American delegates should recognise this and come home.