Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-20
FRANCO4TAL|AN
RIFT INVOLV YES j. S.
Future of American Naval
Policy Under Admiral Pratt
Rests on Negotiations.

BY haulo 10 Inc STAR.
PARIS. France. September 20.-The
latest failure of the Franco-Italian DO
litical and naval negotiations seems to
raise grave questions of policy for the
United States.
Admiral William v. Pratt, who was
our chief naval expert at the London
Naval Conference, has just become
chief Of operations of the United States
feet and within the next two months.
it is expected, decisions must be reach
ed in Washington as to whether we are
going actually to build up to the parity
with Great Britain formally obtained at
London. Present indications seem to the
effect that economy rather than parity
is the administrations aim.
The London Conference ended with
q three-power agreement within five
power treaty The theory was that
France and Italy. after reaching agree
ment between themselves, would fill
in the figures and the treaty would be
complete. However, Great Britain, which
in accepting parity with the United
States also insisted on maintenance of
the two-power standard vis-a-vis the
continent, took precautions of insert
ing in the treaty a provision that in
case of excessive building by outside
powers. Great Britain also automatically
regains the right to build in excess of
the treaty figures
More Building Possible.
In the face Of repeated failures of
the French and Italians to come to
terms the British seem to be seriously
considering the possibility of their hav-
ing to do some supplementary building.
Such building forced by France and
Italy on Great Britain would seemingly
FlaF ain oh 1srwI1N 1t Cd
tanning real parity with Great Britain
within the next few years, especially
If the United StatetS decides for the
present not even to build up to the
London treaty figures.
The theory Of naval power held in
certain American circles seems to be
that there are only three great or
oceanic" naval powers and that each,
being supreme in its own waters. should
also theoretically be responsible for
keeping peace and order in its own part
of the world. Thus the United States
and Japan would not be obliged to in
termix in European affairs which from
naval viewpoint could be regarded as
Great Britain'S peculiar sphere
This theory was strongly marked in
the American policy during the London
Conference. 1t apparently still more
or less prevails, for as far as can be
learned, the United States has at no
time shown active diplomatic interest
in the French Italian dispute, although
Great Britain has repeatedly tried to
bring pressure toward a settlement on
both parties.
Involves TripOIi Extension.
How serious this situation is can best
be judged from g brief survey Of events
since the London Conference. 1t will
be recalled that the Franco-Italian diff
ferences are first political, having to
do with Frances alliances with Jugo-
slavia and with Italys desire to extend
its Tripoli frontiers far into what is
now French colonial territory and to
prevent the third generation of Italians
residing in the French colony of Tunisia
from becoming French, and second
naval. Italy claiming parity with France
and the French claiming to maintain
at least their present tonnage supe-
riority over italy.
Immediately after the London Con-
ference Italy voted its 1881 naval pro-
gram of $4,000 tons. France thereupon
began a study of 55,000-ton program,
including a 22.000-ton capital ship.
At the meeting of the Council of the
League of Nations in Geneva last May,
Arthur Henderson, British foreign min
lister, proposed that the naval negotia-
tionS should be resumed in commit
tee of French, Italian and British ex-
pertS.
Italy accepted, but France hesitated,
saving that the political questions
should be settled first and implying
that Great Britain'S mediation was
not desired. Thereupon Premier Mus
solini made his famous Tuscany
speeches about cannon and machine
using certain phrases which France
interpreted as threats. France, con-
seuuently, signifed that further nego-
tiation was useless.
Italy, meantime, seems TO have tried
a diplomatic Irritation with Germany,
which Germany promptly discouraged.
once more Mr.. Henderson INTERVIEWED.
He got Italy to renew one OF It's former
London Conference proposals Tor
naval holiday between France and ItaIy
France refused on the ground that
italy had an advantage in newer ships
so that il replacement ceased france
would be at q disadvantage.
MIR. Henderson then urged France 10
make some counter proposal. Arlstloe
BRAND persuaded the French govern
ment TO authorize him to suggest a
naval holiday up TO December i. ltaiy
Immediately accepted and the press
widely announced that agreement was
imminent. Investigation, however,
showed that both France ana ial ;
we're building so many ships that they
could not lay down any more Keeh
before December /, even they
France, meanwhile, reinforced its
southwestern frontier and began
fortifying and strengthening its Meol-
terranean ports and naval pases,
premier Mussolini made speech
Announcing that Italy henceforth Ia
vored revision of the peace treaties
thus for the first time definitely angn-
ing Italy with Germany and HuhsaIy
against France and the little entente
In these untoward conditions hignly
secret negotiations were reopened by
French and Italian experts IN Paris
They first explored the political dill
ferences without result The French
held army maneuvers in the Alps near
Italy and the British lord OF the aa-
miralty, A. v. Alexander, hurried 10
Malta to consult with the BRUSH al
mirals on the situation in the Medlter-
ranean. On the way back he stopped
for long naval talks first in Rome ana
then in Paris.
Grandi Leaves Geneva.
At the same time Foreign Minister
Henderson at the League Assembly In
Geneva tried to bring Aristide BRAND
and Dino Grandi, Italy's foreign MN
ister together, but in view of the TACT
that no progress had been made, Signor
Grandi suddenly left Geneva for Rome
and has not returned.
EYnerts I'm Paris agreed again to eX-