Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-04
Action Would Leave Issues
of Security and Parity
to Other Fields.
AMERICANS MAY LEAVE
ON LEVIATHAN APRIL 22
Reservations Engaged Tentatively.
Italian Statement Attacks
Franco British Sessions.
BY the Associated Press.

| LONOON, APIu 4.-SlgnlnR OF
three-power pact by the United States.
Great Britain and Japan, and quick ad-
tournment of the Naval Conference was
said in an authoritative quarter late
today to be quite possible.
This would involve leaving the knotty
questions of French security and
Franco-Italian parity to be signed In
other fields, and would provide so that
France and italy would be in a posi-
ton to sign as soon as these Difficult
ties have been ironed out.
The American delegation this after
noon tentatively engaged reservations
| to return home on the Leviathan
| April %.
1t was stated at American headouar-
ters that this date was regarded as the
| limit to which the conference could
| meet.
1t also was authoritatively stated all
the delegations feel the conference must
| be brought to close within compare
| lively short time.
Security Sessions Attacked.
The Italian naval delegation astound-
ed the conference by issuing, through it's
official spokesman, a statement which
observers interpreted not only as a
pointed reprimand to France. but indi-
eating that Italy is tired of the present
Anglo-French negotiations concerning
French demands for security.
The Italian feeling has been known
in conference circles several days, but
today's broadside was the first official
recording of sentiment.
The spokesman declared that Italy's
claim to parity with France Is I'M
changed, although France wants us
to accept inferiority in naval strength"
French Delegates Gloomy.
He further announced that Dino
Grand, chief Of the Italian delegation.
felt that the security pact which
France demands as compensation for
cutting her naval figures is a matter
for the League of Nations and should
not be discussed at the London Con-
| ference.
After ALL" he said. I'VE came to
London to talk disarmament and not
to talk about the League of Nations
| covenant"
The Italian statement brought ex-
| pressionS Of gloom from the French
delegation this afternoon. The French
were freely inquiring among themselves
whether any useful purpose could be
served by their remaining longer In
London.
Foreign Minister BRAND. leader of
the French, has not yet given an opin-
ion on the subject, however, and the
! final word must come from him.
| The text of the italian spokesman's
statement follows:
France wants two things; she wants
security and she wants US to accept in
feriority In naval strength. Regard
mains unchanged. We insist on parity
in principle at any rate. AS far as
political formula is concerned, that is
matter which comes under the
League of Nations and the view OF
Foreign Minister Grandi is that it
should be discussed not at London, but
at Geneva with the representatives of
all powers who have responsibility IN
! der the covenant of the League. After
| all, we came to London to talk of
disarmament and not to talk about the
League covenant"
All Eager for Showdown.
Conference circles in general admit
that the Franco-Italian situation is
none too good, but they recall that
other international conferences have
statements which are issued in mo-
ments of stress appear worse on the
surface than they ultimately prove
to be.
But this much was evident in all con-
ference quarters today, everybody Is
eager for showdown and the termi-
nation of the long drawn out nego-
tiations.
The British and French are still work.
ing for a security formula, and if they
should obtain it the conference expects
to turn its attention to the Franco
Italian parity question.
The impatience of all concerned has
become accentuated since the Amer
leans, British and japanese have
reached an agreement which would per-
NIT three-power treaty even If all else
fails.
| Anxious for Plenary Session.
The italians are particularly anxious
that there be plenary session as soon
as possible so the cards of all the dele
cations can be put on the table.
There has been considerable talk in
conference circles the last few days
that the next plenary session may
| definitely indicate the time of termi-
nation of the Observation-Disclosures 1t is
wise to keep at the questions of French
| security and Franco-Italian parity or
whether these things shall be passed on
to some other body for argument at
later time. .......
Prime Minister Macdonald, Foreign
Secretary Henderson and BRAND had
lunch together today to discuss pro.
posals for security which the French
demand, and it was understood final
decision on the possibility Of achieving
a security agreement might be made at
the lunch table.
Discuss Counter Suggestions.
For several days the British and
French have been discussing a draft
formula for security prepared by the
British. This formula has now come
back from Paris with French counter.
suggestions and today'S luncheon was
to give the British a chance to reply.
| While there was no indication Of
how the discussions were trending, the
feeling was expressed in conference
circles this morning that the negotia-
lions were nearing a finish, be that
good or bad.
FOur-Power Pact Suggested.
With accord virtually reached be-
tween Great Britain, America and
Japan, 1t was suggested today that a
four-power treaty excluding Italy might
be reached here, If Grand is willing
| to make no further concession. Pos.