Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-22
NAVAL DISCUSSION
/ GROUNDWORK LAID
Franco British Memoranda
to Be Employed at Lon
don Farley.
CONTINUED From First Pags.)

! kNOIfOliuCu EAOA1A EA0b 1881
cans were thinking. For example, is
each power to have all the ships it
wants, or is there to be limitation, and,
| If so, on what basis? Is there, or Is
| there not, going to be a new security
pact negotiated here which might en-
able them to modify their present naval
building program? Do the British really
accept the transitional proposal per-
hitting the transfer of tonnage from
one category to another, and If so, how
do they think 1t should be applied?
h To all this the Americans, at the
dinner with the French and the British
last night, replied that they would be
ready with concrete proposals in good
time, but that they feel that the British
and French should first come out with
some sort of understanding, because the
British figures even with reference to
the United States, seemed to depend on
the ultimate size of the French navy
on which the Italian navy, in turn, de-
ponds.
British and French Meet.
Today in Downing street the British
and French had a long meeting The
British still refrain from stating their
desires in any detail. saying that they
would like to know first what the French
think. The French, accordingly, are
getting impatient.
Andre Tardieu, their premier. SAYS
that he cannot stay here indefinitely,
that he has other duties in Paris, and
that before he leaves he would like to
get an agreement in principle which
the experts can work out at leisure.
There is hope that the uncertainties
will begin to resolve themselves before
tomorrow'S secret plenary session, in
| No
but some of the delegates feel that there
will perhaps be nothing definite before
next Monday.
Meantime, the Japanese and the
Italians are standing by in some nerv-
BUSINESS, wondering what is going to
happen.
Now that the conference has opened in
a general atmosphere of good will, the
delegations are plunging Immediately
into the intricate task Of trying to-
reconcile their national demands.
Secretary of State Stimson, An15as-
sador Dwight w. Morrow, Prime Ii IL
ister Ramsay Macdonald and Foreign
Minister Arthur Henderson dined with
Premier Andre Tardieu and Foreign
Minister Aristide BRAND last night at
the house of an American resident in
London, Keith Merrill, an old friend of
Mr.. Morrow. The dinner lasted late and
aAA lAAC lIldJOI ISSUES O1 LIE conference,
1t is understood, were discussed.
Conversations Continue.
Private conversations are continuing
all day today. The first full working
session of the conference will be held
tomorrow, and in order not to make it
too difficult for anyone later to recede
from his demands the session will be
private.
When this was announced to the
American press. one correspondent cried
aggressively "Humphl Secret sessions
again, just like at Geneva" Another
instantly rejoined with ,"Yes, and that's
hard luck because this time you will
have no Shearer!"
AS consolation, the American dele
gates declared that the press will be
kept informed of everything that hap
pens, even If the subjects are discussed
In private conversations. Hugh r.
Wilson, Minister to Switzerland, and
Arthur Wilson Page of the State De-
partment have been detailed to this not
always grateful duty.
Macdonald has had three talks with
Foreign Minister Dino Grandi, and yes
terday M. Tardieu and Signor Grandi
met privately. 1t is intimated that
early talks with the japanese and the
Italians have been less satisfactory than
the British, American and French talks,
for the Italians are too vague and the
Japanese too positive. The Japanese,
indeed, are showing slight signs of irri-
tation.
Manchuria Is Issue.
The Daily News Conference Bureau
has been informed that not only is
Reijiro Wakatsuki extremely firm In
maintaining the japanese position as
already outlined. but he is also pre-.
occupied by what is described as a
tendency Of the other powers to try to
neutralize the japanese sphere of IN
fuence in Manchuria. Japan does not
intend to raise the Manchuria issue, but
seems to have it constantly in mind.
The Japanese explain that the disso-
luton of the Diet at Toxic will not af-
feet their position here.