NAVAL CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 31 March 1930, Page 5

NAVAL CONFERENCE

NAVAL FORECASTS (British Official Wireless.) (Received this day at 10 a.m.' RUGBY, March 30 Although it is not yet clear whether any development in the Naval Conference delegation will emerge from tiieir efforts, delegates showed no disposal to relax their attention on problems before them During the week-end the Foreign Secretary (Mr A. Henderson) who lunched with M. Briand on Saturday. afterwards had a long conversation with him, which it was arranged to continue later. At the same time Grandi was meeting Senator Robinson 01 the United States delegation and today went to Chequers, where he lunched and talked with the Prime Minster. The latter came to London tonight and will be present at to-morrow morning’s meeting of the heads of all delegations. Meanwhile, advisers ol’ British and French delegations have continued their informal meetings., at which they have jointly explored the method of circumventing the apparent deadlocks, which confronted the Conference in its recent stage. AMERICA'S ATTITUDE. (Received this clay at 8 a.m.) NEW YORK. March! 29. The “Herald Tribune's” Washington correspondent says the State Department has issued the following statement .•—-“There is no difference of view between the President and our delegation in London. Tho delegation always had, and now has, hi 9 unqualified support and authority. The delegation is patiently seeking to explore every suggestion made and every possibility that leads to the great purpose of the Conference That is a reduction and limitation of naval anus and preservation of the peace of the world. It is high hope that a plan for so doing can be developed which will meet with the approval of the American people and be consonant with our traditional politics and. ideals.” While the statement makes no mention of a consultative pact, it seems cleanly to rule out more formally than ever, the hope of France if it exists that the. American delegation will affix United States signature to such* a pact. Iu the opinion, of some observers here, it proceeds beyond this, strongly to indicate iu the event of failure of the Five Power Pact, that United States will he able to avoid the charge of contributing to its failure.

CONFERENCE SPEECHES. NEW YORK, March 29.. The Conference on Anglo-American relations at Newh’aven produced some plain talk on the part of British speakers who frankly warned United States on the anomalous position it was assuming in world affairs. Lord Eustace Percy, while, declaring the causes of friction between the Two countries 'wore largely imaginary. outlined American and British diplomacy, showing America’s relative inexperience in dealing with world affavs and tho resultant hesi fancy of he,r statesmen contrasted with the stability and clearness of the British policy, and the oldness and experience of her Government classes.

Professor Webster, of the University of Wales, states there is throughout the world “a real feeling of uncertainty as to the direction America intends to take, which would easily turn into suspicion and dread. Tlip efforts Britain is making to organise a world peace are not the least service that she is rendering to the United States.”

Profesy.ir Gay, )of Harvard, said the sportsmanship of America and Britain would prevent any serious danger over economic competition. He urged the utmost co-operation of the two countries in the Pacific. NAVAL CONVERSATIONS. LONDON, March 30. Chequers conversations were directed to obtaining the Italian viewpoint upon the conference’s attempt to bridge the gap between the somewhat vague phrasing of article sixteen in the League Covenant and France’s definite demand for security. The spokesman to-night emphasised that Britain is most anxious to improve peace-keeping machinery, but further military committments were absolutely impossible. While it is recognised the attempt to find a formula was satisfying, France was extraordinarily difficult. There was always a possibility of obtaining a definition satisfactory to all concerned. Discussions were proceeding with this hope. Article 16 was being closely examined.