Drifting Together

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 884, 30 January 1930, Page 11

Drifting Together

POWERS DISCUSS TONNAGE First Navy Talks Ended FULL CONFERENCE TODAY United P.A.—By Telegraph—Copyright KeCt Vn •■ SO am ‘ LONDON, Wednesday, f l is now revealed that the British, French and Japanese * delegates to the Naval Conference have reached an agreement on the Anglo-French global and category controversy m the form of a compromise. Mr. MacDonald this evening submitted the agreement to Mr. 11. L. Stimson and Signor Grandi. The Big Five delegates will each make a statement on it at tomorrow’s plenary session. Activity between the different delegations was lulled by preparation for the plenary session of the conference, which will not be the occasion to register an agreement, but will merely be the implement for the arrangement of a permanent agenda committee. The proceedings are likely to be brief.

At the plenary session tomorrow the Prime Minister, Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, will state the position in regard to tonnages. It is expected that Signor Grandi, Italy, will ask for an indication of the figure it is proposed to allocate v? Apparently it will occasion Mr. MacDonald going warily, because if ne indicates Britain’s ideas of her own figures in advance of those of Fiance and Italy, it may hamper Britain s bargaining opportunities It is unfortunate that Great Britain comes alphabetically between France I£ aly ’ this may be overcome oy Mr. MacDonald, as chairman, making the general opening and reserving his detailed case till later m the session, when the experts may have a formula to submit. Mr. H L. Stimson’s (U.S.A.) broadcast really indicated America’s desire in connection with the order of business first to end competition in cruisers and destroyers, secondly to 01 llmit submarines, and ,L„ to reduce battleships below the 1922 agreement. first test cruisers Singularly enough. Sir Maurice Hanlieys preliminary questionnaire suggesting a draft agenda also put battleships last. So everything points to the idea that the first real test will be upon cruisers. rhe British spokesman says all i lf they desire, may speak alphabetically tomorrow. Thereafter be a S eil eral discussion, but there is still a feeling that there is insufficient progress as yet to justify a full dress debate. The Japanese spokesman explains that the present position is that .Japan favours limitation by c-ategorv but does not object to the other system. Japan is prepared to reduce the strength of other categories, except submarines, provided her requirements are considered on their merits as a big Power. “We are confident of the satisfactory conclusion of the conference ” he said. The Japauese delegates today announced that one of the subjects they had placed on the list for consideration by the conference was the possibility of limiting the arming of merchantmen and their use as bases for airplanes. The Americans at Geneva in 1927 attached the greatest importance to the former question, in view of Britain’s superiority in merchantmen capable of carrying six-inch guns. DELEGATES CONFER Mr. MacDonald will see Mr. H. L. Stimson (United States) at the House of Commons at 5.30; Mr. R. Wakatsuki (Japan), at 6.15, and Signor Grandi (Italy), at 7 o’clock, with the object of explaining yesterday’s Anglo-French conversations. Mr. T. M. Wilford, representing the Dominions rather than only New Zeaattended a meeting of the British and Japanese delegations. By King George’s desire the entire profits from the sale of the gramophone record of his opening speech at the Naval Conference will be devoted to the British fund for providing the blind with wireless. FRIENDSHIP WITH U.S.A. BANQUET ASSISTS IN GOODWILL PROMOTION LONDON, Wednesday. A banquet was given by the Pilgrims’ Club at the Hotel Victoria last evening. Viscount Grey of Fallodon presided. The principal guests were the Prime Minister, Mr. MacDonald; the Premier of France, M. Tardieu; Mr. H.

L. Stimson, United States; the High Commissioners for New,,Zealand and Australia, Mr. T. M. Wilford and Sir Granville Ryrie; Mr. J. E. Fenton and Mr. S. M. Bruce, Australia. Also present were members of the Cabinet and leaders in the movement for Anglo-American friendship. The banquet was one of the most remarkable non-official gatherings connected with the Naval Conference. The Pilgrims’ Club is an Anglo-Amer-ican institution of high status. It aims at improving international relations and the removal of differences and misunderstandings between the Anglo-Saxon peoples. In proposing the toast of the delegates to the Naval Conference, the chairman said the hopes of the world were centred upon it. Relief from taxation was relatively a small matter compared with the larger hope that the success of the conference would mark a real step forward toward the world’s security and the world’s peace. “If the conference succeeds,” said Lord Grey, “we shall go forward to the Preparatory Commission on Disarmament at Geneva and make a world-wide treaty which will get rid of the menace of competitive armaments. “If the conference should fail, who can foretell the consequences? But I refuse to contemplate such a result. I am confident that the opportunity will not he lost or wasted. Signor Grandi (Italy) replied on behalf of the delegates to the conference. He paid a tribute to Lord Grey. Actual, not merely apparent, reduction of armaments was what the people demanded from the conference. His chief, Signor Mussolini, had laid down a vast programme of work which Italy was desirous of carrying out in a peaceful world. ■ NO TALK OF SINGAPORE Mr. Wilford, asked whether his presence at the Anglo-Japanese meeting was associated with Pacific discussions, replied that no specific questions had yet been raised. The Powers had merely been discussing general attitudes. He does not think Singapore will be discussed. He added: “I have never discussed Singapore formally or informally with Mr. Ramsay MacDonald or Mr. Fenton.” METHOD OF PROCEDURE POWERS CONFER ON TONNAGE QUESTIONS After Mr. MacDonald, as president of the conference, has spoken at tomorrow’s session, most of the heads of the other delegations will state their views and the formation will be proposed of a committee consisting of two representatives from each delegation, one of the purposes of which will be to regulate the conference’s scheme of work, and thug to guide it along a line of progress in more or less informal conversations. Delegates have been enabled to compare the different theories in regard to categories and global tonnage, and to judge their relative effects upon the different varieties of tonnage, and it has been possible, during these consultations, in some measure to correlate and merge these different theories. The Prime Minister today entertained the heads of the delegations and their wives tj luncheon. Lord Grey, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Snowden and Mr. and Mrs. Runcirrtan also being present. This evening in his room at the House of Commons the Prime Minister gave the substance of conversations between French and British delegates in turn to Mr. H. L. Stimson, Mr. R. Wakatsuki and Signor Grandi.