NAVAL CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1930, Page 5

NAVAL CONFERENCE

APPROACHING THE END

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, April 10. Efforts to secure a full Five Powers agreement have, riot been abandoned. On a number of technical matters the Five Powers are. in agreement, aim it is understood the question of whether these s./mid be embudide in Treaty form to be signed by all Powers represented at the . (joiuerence, was discussed in Conference quarters tb-dny. Newspapers state that the broad outlines of the .lorm which such an agreement might take, were considered to-day at the headquarters of the French delegation when, Mr Stimson, accompanied, by his colleague, Mr Dwight Morrow, met M. Briand. The proposal, which is of course purely tentative, and is' one of several which are under consideration unofficially, is said to comprise throe parts, ol which parts one bind two might be signed by all tile ’Five Powers and part three fay Britain, United States and Japan. It is suggested that paid one should ' preserve the agreement reached between. delegations pit the subject of what is called naval’ holiday in capital ships and large aircraft carriers, ’and speeding up of scrapping should Pm body the' taOle'Nvhich represents the agreed eomjnforiiise between category and giobdr methods of limiting tviival tonnage,"Tind'' shotild apply the definitions of exempt and special ships which lip, „QU,tsi,de these categories. Part two, it is stated, relates to’ methods}- fpl’ [humanising submarine warfare/‘‘"uijkift • which an agreement, was ' reached in committee among representatives of the Five Powers this week. Within this framework it is suggested that a Three Power agreement might be embodied, arid this would be dealt with in part three of the proposed draft. Effort’s, to secure a more far-reaching agreement is the outcome. 1

The Conference, 1; however, continued throughout the dirty arid lasted until late this' evening.'" French and United Kingdom delegations met before noon and shortly after noon Messrs MacDonald and f, Henderson were in coversation with’'the' Italian Ambassador 'find Si griof, Rossi. The British Efhjfire delegation had

■ ; a meeting later j and' at 6.30 to-night M. Briand ' visited “Mr MacDonald at ‘his Downing Street residence to review once more’ tlie-position of the

Conference. Aji oificial ’ communique says /“French. ? ItalianOdad]: ‘United Kingdom delegations met at No. 10 Down-

ing Street - "this Evening. The present state of negotiations whs considered with a'View'to report to heads of the delegations on Friday morning.” The heads of the delegations will to-mor-row proceed with' 1 the drafting Treaty, which will emerge from the Conference as indicated above. This will ■probably comprise • Certain articles to be signed by the-Three. Powers only, leaving certain -'TjUe’atiohs • • for later settlement. ' /• ''

What will probably be the final 'Plenary meeting;-'apart' from that for signing the Treaty; will be held on Monday, or Tuesday.- ■ i Nursery Handicap;—(3) Courtesy 1, (2) ; Fitx Quex 2, ‘ (1) .Pakitere 3. All started. 1 • Won 'by. two and a halt lengths; three-quarters'- of a length. Time I.lß}. o'-M' . -

THE NEW.-'LIMITS. FOR THE/.BIG THREE. . LONDON-, April 11. . It is understood that the tonnages , agreement will he as follows: :

EIGHT-INCH GUN CRUISERS. tons, British Empire .... 146,800 .United States, 180,000 Japan 108,4C0 SIX-INCH GUN CRUISERS. British Empire 192,200 . United, ctates. ... 149,500 Japan .. ... 100,450 _ . DESTROYERS. . British Empije. ... 150,000 United States., r ... 150,000 Japan ... / c .<. r ,. 105,000 . submarines. British Empjjpe 52,700 United States ; ... ..... 52,700 Japan .. ..." ... ... 52,700

MR MACDONALD-1S STATEMENT

(Received this day at 9.40 am.) LONDON,, April 11. . Mr\MacDonald.,, issued a statement to journalists inthe name of Britain: “We are very well satisfied- I think the agreement is a substantial step in the direction, towards.vwhich we have been striving in the face of difficulties which at times appeared to, be almost •insurmountable. ?re most grateful to the press for the way it has helped. It was not .only for what it has said hut also for what it has left unsaid.” .