CALL FOR ACTION

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 929, 24 March 1930, Page 11

CALL FOR ACTION

CRITICS TIRE OF DELAY AT NAVAL TALKS THREE-POWER PACT POSSIBLE British Official Wireless Reed. 11.50 a.m. RUGBY, Sunday. Discussing the deadlock at the Naval Conference, the “Times” says there is a growing feeling that a definite decision must be taken with little further delay as to whether or not a fivePower pact is now possible of attain inent. “It is not surprising in the circum stances,” it says, ’’that rumours have been revived of the possibility of a three-Power pact, and it is understood neither Japan nor America nor Great Britain would be unwilling to consider such a possibility if a five-Power treaty is proved to be impossible. “A great deal must depend, of course, upon the attitude of the Japanese Cabinet toward the proposals submitted to Tokyo from London. “If circumstances make it necessary for Great Britain. America and Japan to discuss a three-Power pact, there is lit le doubt that some safeguarding clause will have to be inserted. ‘ Supposing, for instance, it were decided to take the figures discussed by President Hoover and Mr. MacDonald as the basis for an agreement; it would be necessary to make any decision contingent, upon the building programmes of other naval Powers. This agreement would presumably be based on the declared building programmes of all principal naval Powers and a proviso would have to be in serted giving any of the three nations the right to re-examine its position after due notice to the other signatories if any Power accelerated its building. SAVING PROVISION “Subject, to such a proviso, there is considerable confidence that a threePower pact could be achieved, but it would only be considered after every effort to reach a five-Power agreement had proved unavailing.” Other papers believe that the idea of a three-Power agreement is growing. Significance is attached to the long conversations which Mr MacDonald had yesterday, first with Mr. H. L. Stiinson, chief American delegate, and later with Mr. R. Wakatsuki, head of the Japanese delegaton, at which it is understood such a tripartite pact was discussed. When Mr. MacDonald saw King George yesterday morning, it is presumed that he acquainted his Majesty fully with the latest developments. A Press Association message says telegrams from Paris state that M. Briand will return on Tuesday or Wednesday. No one appears to expect M. Tardieu, the Premier. The “Observer’' says it is he nest of M. Tardieu not to return. The fivePower agreement, which was boomed when he was here a week ago, has not softened the French policy. What can be saved is a three-Power treaty, which would have an immense, and perhaps a decisive importance. Even an Anglo-American treaty itself would maintain the peace of the world.

FRANCE BLAMES ITALY ACCUSES BRITAIN OF MISCHIEF Reed. 1.5 p.m. PARIS, Sunday. French newspapers strongly protest against what they call an organised campaign of London nevrspapers blaming France for the deadlock. They also suggest the British Government instigated the campaign. “Le Temps” remarks: “Such oblique manoeuvres are especially disconcerting when undertaken by people who are normally attached to the truth in dealing with an international conference. It is France alone who lias made useful suggestions toward agreement and it is Italy who has caused the deadlock.”