Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-21
GRANDI PLEDGES ITALY,S HELP
TO REACH NAVAL AGREEMENT
Says Fascist Government
Wants Peace to Carry
Out Its Program.
Calls Conference Most I'M
portant of Recent Years
Of World Progress.

By the Associated Press.
LONDON, January 21.-Dino Grandi.
Italian foreign minister, In his address
ct the opening Of the Five-power Naval
Conference today, expressed hope that
solution would be found for difHicul-
ties facing world naval disarmament.
We nave become convinced, how
ever, ne said, that the problem Is one
calling for courageous action, for in the
field Of disarmament there's much truth
IN the saying that half measures are
always failures"
Signor Grandi's address follows:
Allow me first Of all to express the
gratitude Of the Italian delegation for
the kind words of welcome which the
King graciously has been pleased TO adj
dress to the delegates from the different
parts OF the world, convened at this his
toric meeting on which his majestys
presence has conferred such dignity and
prestige.
ALLOW me also on behalf of the Ital-
ian delegation to thank the British gov
eminent for the invitation extended us,
the city OF London for its hospitality
and the British nation for the cordial
reception given us.
Reflects Convictions.
''Mr. President, you have appealed TO
all OF us to work In spirit of good will
so IS TO secure success for the cause Of
disarmament. Your words reflect the
warmth and nobility Of your convic-
tons. With like sincerity and confidence
allow me to say that the Italian dele
CATION VIII be second to none in its eff
fort to secure the end in view.
The Fascist government is DESTROYS
OF securing real and tangible results in
the fields Of disarmament and security.
which two it considers linked indis-
solubly together, for two reasons, one of
which may call national and the other
European or world wide,
The head Of the Italian government,
Signor Mussolini, has laid down a vast
program OF work for the progress of
our country, which requires q long Pc
Rod Of peace for its execution and to
which the major resources and best
energies OF the italian people are de-
voted. Italy desires nothing better than
to carry out this program in q peaceful
Europe and peaceful world.
But this Is not all. A sense Of inter-
national solidarity Is Unborn In the
Italian people-all It's history and doc
trineS OF its great thinkers be witness
to this fact. And we are deeply con-
WINGED Of the need OF an international
understanding rs . basis for that recip-
rocaI connoence which 10 50 essential
for pacific progress.
Favor Disarmament.
1.-THE Fascist government always has
been ready to accept any proposal Offer
ing concrete prospects for disarmament
and not only has 1t shown constantly
its willingness to give in effect, but it
also has reduced spontaneously It's ar
Maments and maintained them at a
minimum. For this reason the invita-
ton 70 participate In this naval con-
ference was received last October with
50 much favor by the government Of
my country. -EA,3
"As our president has just stated, the
eyes Of the world are turned today
toward London, and the Chief Execu-
tive Of q great country TO whom the
cause Of peace owes much, President
Hoover correctly referred to this con-
ference Is the most important of those
which have met In late years and prob