NAVAL CONGRESS.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17986, 3 April 1930, Page 7

NAVAL CONGRESS.

REVIVAL OF HOPE. FIVE POWER PACT POSSIBLE. ANGLO-FRENCH DISCUSSIONS. (Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April i. There was distinct revival of the hope to-day that the Naval Conference, which apparently has a three Powers agreement within its grasp, will yet succeed in achieving its original aim ol' producing one acceptable to all five Powers. It is clear, however, that much depends upon the successful issue of the efforts of Britain and France to reach an agreement as to formula. Mr Henderson had an hour’s conversation with Signor Grandi (Italy) for the purpose of keeping the Italian Government informed as lo the AngloFrench discussions. Mr D. A. Reed, of the American delegation, and Mr A. Y. Alexander, First Lord of the Admiralty, also met this evening, it is assumed that they discussed the Japanese Government’s reply to the compromise proposal of the Americans. SEARCH FOR A FORMULA. PROCEEDING SATISFACTORILY. United Press Assn. —Eire. Tel.—Copyright. (Received April 3, J 1.45 a.m.) LONDON, April 2. “ The search for a political formula is proceeding salisfact.or.ily,” said the British spokesman tins morning, “but 1 still cannot say, that the hounds have been run into, for informal discussions Continue at tiie hotels; also preparations are being made for Friday's plenary session.” LATER, PLENARY SESSION POSTPONED. ANGLO-FRENCH CONVERSATIONS. NOT YET COMPLETED. (Official Wireless.) (Received April 3, 11.45 a.m.) RUGBY, April 2. The plenary session of the Naval Conference arranged for Friday has been postponed in order lo permit of the continuance of Hie Anglo-French conversations, which have been proceeding for Hie past few days. A further meeting between Mr Henderson and M. Briund was held this afternoon, and it is understood the conversations will be resumed to-mor-row. Their purpose is to discover, if possible, a formula, which, while not extending Britain’s liabilities beyond existing commitments under the League Covenant and Locarno Treaty, would increase France's security, thereby enabling her to reduce her staled requirements in naval armaments. The Foreign Ministers have had before them several draft formu lae, but investigation on the subject is slid incomplete. As constant consultations between M. Briand and his colleagues in Paris are involved, some days will probably elapse before the present conversations are completed. The decision to postpone the plenary session was made at Hie meeting of the beads of the delegations this afternoon. It was preceded by a meeting of the chief delegates of Britain, United States and Japan at which Mr Wakatsuki handed lo his colleagues the reply of the Japanese Government, to the proposals which as Hie result •of the United States-Japnacse discussions and with full British approval, were. forwarded to Tokio some time ago. Japan’s Reply. A communique issued at the close of the full meeting states : “Mr Wakatsuki announced that Hie Japanese delegation has now received a reply on Die compromise proposals. The reply states that the Japanese Government is desirous of co-operat-ing to the full in promoting the success of the conference and recommends Hie acceptance of the proposals with certain reservations which have still lo l)c discussed in detail. The chairman stated that the bead of the American delegation and himself hacl already had an opportunity of expressing their deep appreciation of the spirit and substance of this reply. A comprehensive report of the secretarygeneral of the conference on various questions of method and detail still outstanding was examined.”