Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-15
Talk of Tonnage Total Cut,
If Tardieu Can Get Paris
to Agree, Is Heard.
AMERICANS TAKE SILENT
ROLE AT CONFERENCE
Attend Farley in Which Tardieu
BRAND and Macdonald Seek
to Settle Differences,
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
LONDON, February 15.-The Five
Power Naval Conference today is square
up against what has been foreSeen
frcm the first as one of its most diff
cult problems-reconciliation of French
naval demands with what the other
powers think reasonable French figure
The situation has been complicated
considerably by development of an in
ternal political crisis in the French
Parliament, where important social leg
islation is up for vote. The govern
ment's position already is strained on
this account. Any retreating at London
might easily prove embarrassing for
Premier TarGieu, who yesterday went
back to Paris to meet with his cabinet.
Reports of Possible Cut.
There were reports in some quarters
that in a conference yesterday with
Col Stimson and Premier Macdonald,
Premier Tardieu intinated that the
French demands for total tonnage of
724Oo0 could be reduced if Frances
Parliament could be talked into COM
promising.
While beyond the Alps lies Italy"
IS always to be considered, the problem
is regarded as essentially Anglo-French.
Col. Stimson and his advisers sitting in
yesterday in the conversation between
Mr.. Macdonald. Premier Tardieu and
Aristide BRAND were said to have played
almost silent roles, although realizing
that if the problem is not settled prop
erly the fate of the conference may
hang in the balance.
Power Fact Talk Heard.
There was some talk of a possible
three-power treaty in the event that
France and Italy should remain recalci-
trant, but this was met generally by the
statement that neither the American
Senate nor the British Parliament
would ratify any such agreement. A
four-power agreement. if Italy should
remain outside the fold, it was consid-
cred, would have some more chance of
success, since it is not believed Italy
would actually exert its right to build
up to the French navy. However, the
French position in the Mediterranean
Is too irrevocably related to British
requirements there to permit conclusion
OF any treaty not acquiesced in by the
Paris government.
Conference circles theoretically rested
probably were more interested than at
any week end since the conference
opening In the immediate problem
which they had at hand.
The conference has nearly rounded
out its fourth week, showing these prin-
cipal results A general agreement to
"humanize" submarines and virtual ac-
ceptance of a compromise plan for
measuring "global" feet tonnage and
tonnage by categories.
Tonnage Desires Stated.
In addition, France has produced a
statement of its tonnage requirements
and the United States, Great Britain
and Japan have set forth their general
naval desires and needs. Above all,
some observers stressed, there has been
a growth and development of the spirit
of Cancellation which marked the con-
ference beginning, and there is now
apparently sincere hope that some ac-
ceptable accord will be reached before
the middle of March.
Premier Macdonald is entertaining
visiting newspaper men at tea at
CheQuers today. Col. Stimson is spend
ing the week end at Stanmore, enter
tanning Senator Robinson and Secre-
tary Adams and their wives. The Brit
ish Empire delegations will take lunch
at Stanmore Sunday
Dwight w. Morrow, American AM
bassador to Mexico, and member of the
American delegation, went into confer
ence this morning with Dino Grand,
chief of the Italian delegation, at Mr..
Morrow's Hotel.
1t was of more than passing interest
shat Mr.. Morrow was party to all the
conversations the Americans previously
have had with the French delegation
The Ambassador was said to have a firm
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