The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1929-09-16
FEAR FOR NAVAL
PACT FELT
HERE
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ticularIy her delegates will have to
travel half way around the world to
attend.
Administration officials were sur
prised and a little shocked today at
the sharp criticism OF the British
American program voiced in the
French press, and the notice"
served that the other powers,
France, Italy and Japan, do not
intend to sit hack and allow Great
Britain and the United States to
dictate the size Of their navies.
Press Semi. Official
The criticism thus far has all
been in the press, but the sub
sidized press OF Europe, particularly
OF France and Italy, usually takes
its color from the government in
power.
Both President Hoover and
Premier Ramsay Macdonald. who
Is coming to Washington two weeks
hence to complete the naval accord,
have taken meticulous care through
out the British.American negotia-
tions to keep the other powers In
formed of each step in the ex-
by written notes or memoranda.
but BY informally acquainting the
Ambassadors in Washington and
London with the progress, enabling
them to report to their Govern
ments. Paris, Rome and Tokyo at
all times knew what was going
on.
1t il noted here with some ln.
easiuess that even before the call
for the five-power conference has
gone out the French press is ''serv-
ing notice" that France will not
accept naval parity with Italy.
And IL is also noted that the
italian press, undoubtedly rejecting
the policy OF MussoIinis govern
ment, Is similarly serving notice
that nothing short Of parity with
France win appease italian senti-
ment and national aspirations.
Trouble FOreseen Ahead
Washington foresees trouble
ahead in this Franco-Italian jeal-
ousy. Both countries have been
engaged in hot competitive naval
building in the last few years. and
both claim the Mediterranean as
their particular sphere Of influence.
1t is not forgotten here that but
for French objection the original
Washington Conference eight years
ago undoubtedly would have limited
auxiliary naval ships. as it did
capital ships. and perhaps abolished
submarines altogether. The other
powers were willing. but France,
smarting under the comparatively
minor ratio accorded her in capital
to- a. al
Both President Hoover and Pre-
riier Macdonald have consistently
stressed the patent. fact that the
success OF the Anglo-American ac-
cord hinges entirely upon the will
ingness of the other powers to go
along In a worldwide agreement.
The United States and Great Brit
ain cannot drastically limit their
respective navies il the other pow.
ers are left to build freely.
Consequently, the first rumbling
OF thunder in France and Italy is
attracting considerable attention
here.
This phase of the matter undoubt-
eddy will occupy good deal OF
the time of Mr.. Hoover and Mr..
Mac Donald when the latter reaches
here for a weeks conferences.
Speculate on Delegates
There is considerable speculation
in Washington over the makeup of
the American delegation that will
go to London.
Secretary of State stimson, It is
believed, viii head the delegation.
II President Hoover follows the
precedent set by President Harding
there will be Senatorial representa-.
ton in the delegation, also, and this
has brought up the question of
whether Senator William e. Borah
will go. Borah is chairman Of the
Senate Foreign Relations Com
mittee, which must in the end ap-
prove any compact reached at
London.
At the Washington conference,
the American delegation included
the chairman OF the Foreign Rela.
tons Committee, in that instance,
Senator Lodge (R) OF Mass.
leader OF the Senate, then Oscar
Underwood, of Alabama. should
the precedent be followed In this
instance Borah would be appointed
and Senator Joe r. Robinson of
Arkansas.
Borah's friends, however, have
some doubts as to whether he
would accept IL offered the place.
He has never been abroad. More
over, he is Q ''lone wolf'' in inter.
national relations and many OF his
friends believe he would prefer to
have a detached position and re.
tain his independence, which would
be impossible were he q party to
the proceedings.
As for the rest OF the delegation,
It is considered fairly certain that
Hugh S. Gibson, now Ambassador
to Belgium, who headed the delega-
ton at Geneva, will be included. as
will Admirals Jones and Long, who
We're Gibson's chief advisors at
Geneva.
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