ITALY'S WARSHIPS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 961, 2 May 1930, Page 9

ITALY'S WARSHIPS

NORMAL PROGRAMME GOING AHEAD

NAVAL CONFERENCE RESULTS United P.A.—By Telegraph—Copyright Reed. 0.5 a.m. ROME, Thursday. Inquiries from the Ministry of Marine have elicited the fact that the new warships are part of the tonnage allotted to Italy under the Washington Treaty. It is no new proposal, but merely a portion of the regular building programme, which was suspended pending the results of the London Naval Conference. SINGAPORE DILEMMA The “Daily Mail” says: Behind Mr. Alexander’s statement about the Singapore Base lies a story of the Government’s dilemma. Now it has found that It will cost more to abandon the dock In its present condition than to proceed with the contract which the Conservatives signed in 1928. The problem is whether to abandon the base despite the cost, or to complete the harbour and use it for commercial purposes. The latter is more likely. DISSENSION IN JAPAN TOKYO, Thursday. The Government was severely attacked in the Diet last evening upon the question of the London Naval Treaty. The Opposition alleged that the final instructions sent to the Japanese delegates ignored the views of the naval authorities. This action of the Cabinet, independent of the opinion of the Naval Staff, constitutes a most important step in the breakdown of the political domination of the Navy and Army. It raises an issue of which the outcome is awaited with the keenest interest. Influential Progressives throughout the nation are supporting the Prime Minister, Mr. Hamaguchi. TO RATIFY - AGREEMENT Reed. I p.m. WASHINGTON, Thurs. President Hoover submitted the London naval agreement *o the Senate, with every expectation of prompt ratification.