SOBER OPTIMISM.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17972, 18 March 1930, Page 7

SOBER OPTIMISM.

CHARACTERISES CONGRESS

OUTLOOK QUITE HOPEFUL

CONTINUATION OF CONVERSATIONS

United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel.—Copyright. (Received March 18, 10.20 a.m.) LONDON, March 17.

The situation of the Disarmament Conference, according to the British spokesman, is still characterised by sober optimism. M. Tardicu’s attitude last night is interpreted as quite (iopeful, even to the extent of suggesting the securing of a Five-Power Pact. The British position is definitely affected by the Franco-Italian difficulties, which at present are the corner-stone of the Conference. The Conference conversations between Mr Ramsay MacDonald and M. Tardieu, the last of which was early to-day, preceded by a long talk between Mr MacDonald and Mr Stimson, with a conversation between Mr MacDonald and Signor Grandi to follow, resulted satisfactorily from the British viewpoint though no’t from the 1 viewpoint of those who desired to kill the Conference during the week-end. The conversations will continue informally throughout Hie week. Obviously everything was not settled on March 16, nor can it he said that France and Italy have agreed [ lo a 3—2 or a 6—5 ratio as an acceptable relative naval equilibrium. The spokesman declared that the interdependence of the sea, land and air forces had never, as suggested in some quarters, come within the ambit of the conversations, yesterday’s discussions being confined to naval figures and not touching the new securities or guarantees, it would be of the utmost significance to Britain. if an agreement suitable for Britain and America regarding the percentage of ratios were reached, but no suggestion has yet resulted in an absolute general agreement on this point. It docs not follow that Hie United States and Japanese agreement would be acceptable to Britain, nevertheless there is little doubt that such would lie the case, because the American and Japanese delegations, are so familiiar with the respective situations that they would be unlikely to arrive at a hard and fast agreement without the knowledge of a third party and in terms acceptable to that party. Nevertheless, there is nol yet any conclusive agreement either between America and Japan or between Britain and America.