HER POUND OF FLESH

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 918, 11 March 1930, Page 9

HER POUND OF FLESH

FRANCE DEMANDS NAVAL QUID PRO QUO SECRECY AT CONFERENCE British Official Wireless Reed. Noon. RUGBY, Monday. The utmost secrecy is observed regarding a series of important conversations -which took place on Saturday and yesterday between the delegates to the London Naval Conference. It is understood the purpose of these conversations was to enable M. Briand to explain the French view that if the naval armaments of France, representing a total of 724,479 tons, as set out in their memorandum, are to be reduced, political safeguards will be necessary. These safeguards are interpreted by the Press to mean a Mediterranean agreement binding the interested Powers, not merely to consult, but to take action, in a time of emergency. It is well known that the British Government, -which under the Covenant of the League of Nations and the Locarno treaties has assumed heavy responsibilities, is unwilling to add to its burdens.

The United States Government, it is believed, looks with disfavour on the proposal, even to sign a consultative agreement.

“The Times” says it is suggested in French quarters that if a Mediterranean agreement proved to be impossible, M. Briand might be willing to postpone the question of a security pact and that this would not prevent the conclusion of a useful agreement on a number of technical matters between the five Powers, with a larger agreement between Great Britain, the United States and Japan. DOWN TO FIGURES POWERS' DEMANDS MODIFIED TECHNICAL EXPERTS BUSY Reed. 11.45 a.m. LONDON, Monday. A communique states: The heads and other members of the United States, French, British and Belgian delegations held conversation at St. James today. Certain technical questions were found to require exploration. The French Minister of Marine and M. Dumesnil, the first Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. A. V. Alexander accompanied by technical advisers with American observers, were asked to consider these immediately and report as soon as possible in order to give time for the continuous prosecution of this inquiry. The Italians and Japanese gave their assent to a postponement of the meeting of the heads of delegations fixed for three in the afternoon until Tuesday.

A further meeting of the three delegations will be held on Wednesday at three o’clock or earlier if the report is ready.” The British spokesman, in explaining the communique, assured Pressmen that the political question of guarantee did not arise. Instead, the matter of Anglo-French tonnage totals had been taken up in the hope of get--ting down to bedrock with a view to fitting them into a category table. SATISFACTORY PROGRESS The presence of figures and of American observers throws into perspective the course of the conference, which is tackling Anglo-French figures.

The first part of this morning’s discussion. concerned the British, Japanese asd American figures, which have now been put aside, very satisfactory progress having been made in this quarter. Nothing definite has been decided, nor would it be until a whole fivepower treaty falls into place. The Americans are looking on helpfully, while the British and French figures are being discussed, because an ultimate settlement of the European figures must control the whole settlement of the British, Japanese and American totals. The allusion to satisfactory progress with the British, Japanese and American figures is understood to refer to a complete agreement that the United States and Japan should have a ratio of 15—12 in large cruisers, leaving more tonnage to build smaller ships. Incidentally America comes down to Britain’s idea to he satisfied with 15 10,000-ton cruisers.