Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-16
AWAIT ITALIAN REPLY.
Likelihood Of French Refusal In,
creases Interest in Rome's Stand.

BY the Associated Press.
An expression from Italy on the
American invitation to send "unpfncial
observers" to the three-power Geneva
Naval Arms Limitation Conference Is
awaited with interest in official circles.
The attitude the Italian government
will take is especially desired In view
of the now anticipated refusal Dy
France to accept the suggestion to
appoint such representatives. made
only after both the Paris and Rome
governments had declined to sit in
with equal status at the conference
table with Great Britain, Japan and
the United States.
The second proposal, presented two
days ago to the French and Itahan
foreign offices, at first received q some
what favorable reception In Frencn
political circles, but after an extended
meeting yesterday OF the Polncare
cabinet there were indications that
France would decline.
Observers Status Difficult.
A reply to the invitation, conveying
a polite refusal, is expected to be SUD
mitted to the Poincare cabinet Satur-
day for consideration.
Dispatches from Paris indicated that
the Poincare cabinet felt that discus
sion of French tonnage was bound 10
come up at the conference ana, should
an observer" be appointed. he would
he nlaced in a difficult dilemma. III
he were 10 keep strictly to his role,
he would permit arguments against
frances naval policy to go unansWer-
ed while If he should attempt to pre-
sent the position of the French naval
staff he would cease to be an observer.
The counter proposal by the Amer
toan Government that the two ma
tions participate in some manner
was made public by the state
Department yesterday. The invita-
tions. while similar in form and also in
language in part, differed in that the
nhiections raised by the two countries
10 the first plan were answered spe-
cifcally.
Considered Aid to League.
To the French suggestion that sue
cass of the preparatory commission at
Geneva. organized by the League OF
Nations. might be risked by stimuli
taneous treaty negotiations between
the naval powers, the American note
said:
."rhe Government Of the United
States is of the opinion that all appro
priate measures taken by the large
naval powers cannot ohL IoiiIi ipute
toward facilitating the task OF the
commission.
Italy's insertion of the inter-depend
ence of every type of armament was
answered similarly that in the Amer
tcan view Limitation of the nava
branch of armament must greatly
contribute in advancing the solution of
the problem as whole
Dealing with Italy's suggestion that
her geographic position and strategic
considerations made it impossible foi
her TO enter into binding agreements
10 limit naval armament without grave
risks, the American note said:
1T is feared there may exist some
n1isapprehension regarding the terms
of the proposal of the President of the
United States.
Has No PrecOnceived Idea.
.sThe American Government has nc
pre.conceived ideas regarding definite
ratio for the limitation of Italian ton
mage in the classes (of ships referred
10. but regards this question as one
10 be determined during the proposed
converse tions."
IL was further explained TO Italy
' that the Washington Government be
lieved that partial agreement on limi-
tation of armaments could expose
no power TO danger from the navies
OF the powers not included In such
an understanding, since no agree
ment Is contemplated which would
not be subject 10 reconsideration o.
reyision should the security of any
party to 1t be menaced by the nava
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