HOPE DEFERRED

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 95, 8 April 1930, Page 5

HOPE DEFERRED

AT NAVAL CONFERENCE

DELEGATES MARKING TIME.

EFFORT TO MEET FRENCH DEMANDS.

[British Official Wireless.)

(Received 8, 11.5 a.m.) „ 4 k . Rugby, April 7. Hopes of achieving agreement on the major phase before the London Naval Conference are dependent upon the result of Anglo-French efforts to devise a formula offering an agreed interpretation of Article XXL of the Covenant of the League of Nations and the annexe of the Locarno Treaty which would satisfy French security demands but would not increase Britain's overseas commitments. Newspapers point out that if agreements were made it remains to be seen whether a foimula acceptable to Britain would lead to a substantial reduction of the French tonnage and solve the problem caused by Italy's demand for parity with the largest Continental naval Power. The Anglo-French conversations have been watched with great interest here and in Parliament, and in the press anxiety is displayed lest any new interpretations should increase Britain’s obligations. M. Briand is expected to return to London to-morrow after his week-end consultation with M. Tardieu in regard to the formula which have been tentatively evolved in the course of the Anglo-French discussions in London. AT A STANDSTILL. (United Preat Association—By CableCopyright.) (Received 8, 9.10 a.m.) London, April 7. Till M. Briand returns to-morrow evening the Conference is virtually at a standstill. Colonel Stimson and the Rt. Hon. Ramsay MacDonald conversed this morning on the general position. FUTURE FRENCH PLANS. (United Freer. Aisociation—By CableCopyright.) (Received 8, 9.35 a.m.) Paris, April 7. If the Naval Conference breaks down, France intends to proceed immediately with “big navy” plans by putting into effect the 1930 programme providing for the construction of 18 war vessels totalling 40,000 tons. They include a 10.000ton cruiser, six high-seas submarines of 1,500 tons each, six destroyers of 2,500 tons each, and various minelayers and anti-submarine craft. Under her 1931 programme France may decide upon the construction of 55,000 tons, including a supercruiser of 15,000 tons. U.S. NAVY CONSTRUCTION. (United Pres.’ Association—By CableCopyright.l (Received 8, 12.25 p.m.) Washington, April 7,. The. navy will be authorised' to proceed immediately with construction costing more than' 10,000,000 dollars under a Bill passed by the Senate to-day and sent to the House of Representatives.