MACHINERY OF PEACE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 937, 2 April 1930, Page 9

MACHINERY OF PEACE

NAVY HEADS STRIVE FOR PLEASE-ALL PACT FRANCE DEMANDS SECURITY Reed. 10.40 a.m. LONDON, Tuesday. In the House of Commons, the Prime Minister, Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, said the Government had no intention of undertaking any commitments going beyond the obligations of the Covenant of the League of Nations, or the Treaty of Locarno. France had never asked Britain to do so. A rift in the clouds developed in the morning, when the British spokesman announced that the political aspects of the conference would be further discussed by Mr. Arthur Henderson and M. Briand, assisted by the .British and French experts, in order to prosecute the search for a formula giving France the desired security within the scope of the existing machinery for the maintenance of peace, and also to strengthen such machinery. These conference's have already proceeded satisfactorily during the last 24 hours, and have been attended by distinct progress, be said. A British Official -Wireless message says Mr. Arthur Henderson today had an hour's conversation with Signor Grandi (Italy), in addition to his meeting with M. Briand (France) and tire experts, the purpose being to keep the Italian Government au courant with the Anglo-French discussion on the political side of the conference. Senator Reid, of the American delegation, and Mr. A. V. Alexander, First Lord of the Admiralty, also had a meeting this evening with reference, it is suggested, to the Japanese Government’s reply. HOPE REVIVED Although it is clear that much depends upon the successful issue of an Anglo-French agreement on formula, there was a distinct revival of hope today that the conference, which apparently has a three-Power agreement within its grasp, will yet succeed in achieving its original aim of producing one acceptable to all five Powers. A Tokyo message says that instructions to London, replying to the American proposals, have been approved by Cabinet, and have been submitted to the Emperor. They will be transmitted to London forthwith. It is generally conceded that Japan is practically accepting them, with reservations regarding large cruiser and submarine tonnage.