QUIETLY OPTIMISTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 924, 18 March 1930, Page 9

QUIETLY OPTIMISTIC

DRAGGING TALKS AT NAVAL CONFERENCE VIEWS STILL WIDE APART United 2\_l. —By Telegraph—Copyright Reed. 10.20 a.m. LONDON, Monday. The situation of the Naval Conference, according to the British spokesman, is still one of sober optimism. M. Tardieu’s attitude las: evening is interpreted as being ciuite hopeful, even to the extent of securing a flve-Power pact. The British position is definitely affected by Franco-1 tali an difficulties which are at present the cornerstone of conference conversations between Mr. Ramsay MacDonald and M. Tardieu, the last of which, early today, was preceded by a long talk between Mr. MacDonald and Mr. H. L. Stimson (U.S.A.) with a conversation between Mr. MacDonald and Signor Grandi (Italy) to follow. These resulted satisfactorily from the British viewpoint, though not from the viewpoint of those who desired to kill the conference during the weekend.

Conversations will continue informally all week. Obviously everything- was not settled on March 16. nor can it be said that France and Italy agreed to a three-two or a six-four ratio as an acceptable relative naval equilibrium.

The interdependence of sea, land and air forces never, as suggested in some quarters, came within the ambit of the conversations, yesterday’s discussions being confined to naval figures, and not touching new securities or guarantees. It would be of the utmost significance to Britain if an agreement suitable to England and America regarding the percentages of ratios were reached, but there is no suggestion yet of an absolute general agreement on these. AMERICA AND JAPAN It does not follow that an AmerieanJapanese agreement would be acceptable to Britain; nevertheless there is little doubt such would be the cas, . because the American and Japanese delegations aro so familiar with their respective situations that they are unlikely to arrive at a hard and fast agreement without the knowledge of a third party, and in terms acceptable to this party.

There is not yet a conclusive agreement, however, either between America and Japan or between England and America. A British Official Wireless message says M. Tardieu left for Paris accompanied by M. Pietri. He expects to return to London next week. The work of the London Naval Conference is likely to be restricted this week to informal interviews between members of the different delegations. No plenary session is in prospect and the problem of adjusting the tonnage figures of the live Powers within the categories prepared for them by the first committee of the conference is the chief immediate problem. The difficulties of the European situation have been enhanced by the discovery by France that there is little likelihood of political guarantees being forthcoming in exchange for a scaling down of her tonnage figures, and by the insistence of Italy upon parity with the largest Continental naval Power. NO BREAKDOWN VET

The fact that the Anglo-French w r eek-end discussions excluded political issues from their purview is taken as a recognition by France that adjustments must be on the basis of figures, and it is anticipated that discussions on this subject will be prolonged. While it is improbable that any marked advance will be made this week, it is regarded as certain the conference will not break down before M. Tardieu returns to London at the end of the week. In the interval there will be numerous private conversations.

Mr. MacDonald is dining tonight with the members of the French delegation at the French Embassy. Regarding a suggestion that the political issues raised should be transferred to Geneva, it is stated no such proposal has been mooted officially.