Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-08
TARD|EU EXPECTED
TO MAKE REPLY TO
ST|MSON-M'DONA
Some Trepidation Felt Be-
cause of UnfavorabIe Re-
action on Part of French.
DELEGATION HEAD VEXED
AT VIEWS MADE PUBLIC
Italy Expresses Satisfaction and
japan Takes Attitude of
Being Unaffected.


LONDON, February S.--Andre Tar
dieu, French premier, was reported
today in Naval Conference circles to be
considering making a statement In
which French needs and aspirations
would be expressed. 1t would compare
with the statements of Secretary Slim
son and Premier Macdonald of the past
two days.
Conference circles, having been
shaken by the explosion of two mines
in the shape of the American and Brit
ish sensational pronouncemcnt Of policy,
looked forward with interest, not ,un-
mixed with trepidation, for another jolt
about Monday or Tuesday from the
French government head.
1t was believed the probably inpend-
ing announcement might deal with the
question of Franco-Italian parity, which
thus far has BEEN one Of the biggest
obstacles toward five-power agree
ment. There was no indication what
soever that either France or Italy had
changed their viewpoints, Italy remain
ing adamant in its demand for parity
and France declining to concede 1t.
1t was made quite clear that the state
ments OF Secretary Stimson and Mr..
Macdonald OH Thursday and Friday
caused no joy in French headquarters,
where Premier Tardieu was said by
some to be plainly vexcd at the turn
the situation had taken. Reuters Paris
dispatches described French comment
as OF "a distrustful tone"
Statements Open to Question.
It was open to question:. in general
opinion, whsther the two statements OF
national aims advanced the procedure
toward merging of the naval needs OF
the five powers into a compact salts
factory agreement or endangered hnal
adjudlca ton OF differences with the two
Mediterranean powers.
italy,, through Dino Grandi, foreign
minister and allegation head, diplo-
natlcGliy expresssu satisfaction with
nentS on the ground that they fastened
the conference work by getting down
10 figures. 80
The French, however, were extremely
taciturn.. Premier Tardieu, leaving Tor
Paris for the week end, was reported to
have been greatly displeaSed with the
contents OF the two announcements
and the methods displayed in making
them. 49,.
The Japanese, officially, had nothing
to say. Retire Wakatsuki. former Jap
anese premier and delegation head.
said informally that he was neither
astonishsd nor annoyed" He said also
that Japan had no intention at present
of issuing statement, as she had
nothing TO add to her Views which
previously had been expressed publicly.
Caused Surprise.
rryA.
Macdonald issued as 1t was late yes
terday on top of Col. Stin1son's pro-
nunciamento the day before, apparent
ly caused considerable surprise, al
though undoubtedly the prime minister
had talked with Col. Stimson before
issuing it.
Mr.. Maconald proposed, principally,
battleShip holiday until 1885, with
the hope that these monster sea forts
ultimately will be abolished along with
the submarine. He voted with the
mersibles be not abolished Immediately,
they be "humanized" and limited
He also suggested q tonnage limita-
ton for small cruisers, q combination
of global and categorical tonnage lirai-
tation which would maintain O suitable
equilibrium between fleets of the vari-
Gus nations, and he suggested further
limitation of aircraft carriers, whereby
the maximum size would be reduced
to $4,000 tons, the age limit advanced
and the total tonnage reduced from
$4,000 tons to 100000.
The proposal generally was in accord
with that Of the Americans especially
with regard to the triple battleship holi-
day and abolition of submarines but
the suggestion of aircraft carriers was
expected to bring up an argument be-
tween the two countries since the naval
experts of the United States saw consid-
cradle British advantage If such a re-
duction were carried out
First American Objection.
The first American objection to the
British aircraft carrier scheme is that
the United Kingdom has great superior
ity in merchant vessels. which are read
lily convertible into carriers in the event
OF war. However. the difdculty on this
score is not believed insurmountable.
This United States naval experts are
unanimously against the plan for cutting
the total aircraft carrier tonnage to
100000, declaring that $4,000 tons are
necessary because of the large percent
age or the American allotment already
consumed in the Lexington and Sara
toga, Americas two aircraft carriers.
1t was understood the British would
lem later on, having already recognized
md considered the apparent inequalities.
Outside Of the meeting this morning
ot the conference subcommittee to con-
tinue proposals of merging global and
categorical tonnage compromise plans
to meet the needs of the various powers.
most OF the delegates viii rest over the
week end.
The subcommittee yesterday an
nounced agreement on certain technical
points. although the Italian members
voted with their usual reservations. The
complete text Of the tonnage compromise
IS expected to be presented to the dele
cation chiefs next week.