NAVAL CONFERENCE.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17978, 25 March 1930, Page 7

NAVAL CONFERENCE.

THE FRENCH ATTITUDE. AWAITING DELEGATES’ RETURN. STATEMENT BY M. BRIAND. United Tress Assn.—Flee. Tel.—Copyright. LONDON, March 23. The official spokesman stales that ihe conference was being continued in full confidence of the return of the French delegation very soon. The British and United States delegates will hold a meeting to-morrow. The Times Paris correspondent says (hat the British Ambassador, Lord Tyrrell, and M. Briand discussed a Naval Conference position. The former explained how, according to the British Government’s viewpoint, the absence of M B ,.Tardieu and M. .Briand affected the negotiations. M. Briand explained it was never intended to abandon the conference, lie would he ready to return when urgent local affairs liberated him, the actual dale of return must, however, be determined by developments in London, but he saw no necessity for returning while the deadlock continued. Meanwhile M. Tardieu docs not go so far as to announce any intention of returning. The French newspapers strongly protest against what they call the organised campaign of the London newspapers blaming France for Ihe deadlock. They also suggest that the British Government instigated the campaign. Lo Temps remarks: “Such oblique manoeuvres are especially disconcerting when undertaken by a people who are normally attached to the truth.” In dealing with the international conference, the paper says: " It is France alone who has made useful suggestions towards an agreement; it is Italy who has caused the deadlock. EARLY DECISION NEEDED. THREE-POWER PACT PROBABLE. PROVISION OF SAFEGUARDS. United Press Assn.—Etcc. Tel.—Copyright. LONDON, March 25. The Times says there is a growing feeling that definite decision must he made with little further delay as lo whether or not a five Powers pact is now possible of attainment. II is not surprising in the circumslnnces that rumours have been revived of Ihe possibility of a three Powers pact. It is understood that neither .Japan, America nor Britain would he unwilling to consider such a possibility if a five Powers treaty is proved to lie impossible. A great deal must depend, of course, upon Hie attitude of the Japanese Cabinet toward the proposals submilled to it from London, says Uie paper. If circumstances make it necessary for Britain, America and Japan lo discuss a three Powers pact there is little doubt that some safeguarding clause will have lo he inserted. Supposing, for instance, it were decided to take ihe figures discussed by the President of the United States. Mr Hoover, and Mr MacDonald as a basis for an agreement, it would he necessary lo make any decision contingent upon the building programmes of the oilier naval Powers. An agreement presumably would be based upon the declared building programmes of all the principal naval Powers. A proviso would have io be inserted giving any of the three nations the right to re-examine its position after due notice had been given to the other signatories if any Power accelerated its building. Subject lo such a proviso there is considerable confidence that a three Powers pact could he achieved, hut it would only he considered after every effort to reach a five Powers agreement had proved unavailing. Other newspapers say they believe the idea of a three Powers agreement is growing. Significance is attached to long conversations which Mr MacDonald had yesterday, 'firstly witli Mr 11. L. Stimson (America), and later with Mr Wakatsuki (Japan). It is understood that a tripartite pact was discussed. Mr MacDonald saw the King yesterday morning, and it is presumed that he acquainted His Majesty fully with Ihe latest developments, at Ihe conference.