Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-14
Tardieu's Demands for 724,-
600 Tons, Requiring Build
ing of 100000 Tons in Five
Years, Meets DiSfavor.
mediterranean TREATY
MAY BE KEY TO SOLUTION
France Faces Strong Bargaining
Points, Though Premier Sees
Stand as Opening Conference
Path-Italy Is Silent as Grandi
Awaits Developments.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
LONDON, February lathe
United States and Great Britain
combined and got quickly into &C
ton this morning to try to per-
suade France to lower her SenSa-
tional claim for 724,000 tons of
naval craft, a figure which would
involve her building 100000 tons
in the next five years.
Early in the forenoon, Premier
Macdonald, Secretary Stimson,
Ambassador Morrow and Senator
Robinson, met with Premier Tar
dieu, BRAND and Mariner at the
House of Commons and closeted
themselves for a serious con-
ference.
Frances figures - issued last eve
ning-brougtt an unfavorable reaction
from every other delegation. 1noeeo
the total created something akin 70
CONSERVATION and the delegates be-
lieved they have at least one month OF
intense worry cut out for them In
reaching a solution to this vital prob
lem.
Italy Is Silent.
II was understood from well informed
sources that it was hoped TO persuade
France to reduce her total to something
like $4,000 tons. ~.
since italy demands parity with
France, there seemed nothing for DINO
Grandi. Italian foreign minister, 10 90
hut To enter a claim for similar ton
mage. The opinion was expressed III
conference circles, however, that Granoi
would hold his hand for the pIesent
and await developments since 1taly d.
ready has indicated that she neltner
wants nor approves such a big navy.
Italy demands the right to ouilo up 70
fine French total If she sees nj.
Premieu Tardieu went PACK 70 falS
TODAY with Foreign Minister Brlano'
facing debates in the Chambers OF Dep
mites hut expressing satisfaction that
the London Conference Is now lace 10
face with realities after week OF real
progress.
Requirements Held Not Relative.
In circles close to the French delega-
tiop the general impression prevailed
that the real business OF making
treaty has begun now that all OF tns
aims. So far as the French are con-
cerned, yesterdays memorandum, oaseo
on what France considers her minimum
national needs in the face OF present.
day world conditions, represents her
basis of negotiation.
The French requirements as set out
in their statement are not relative, IL
was declared, but based on careful con-
sideration by the delegates and experts
of Frances geographic position. her
colonial possessions and the length OF
her trade routes.
The hint in the final paragraph of
sthe French memorandum that France
would make her naval needs relative
rather than absolute If the mutual
guarantees of the nations should be-
come more potent was pointed to by
observers as another key to the French
position.
1t was understood the campaign to
persuade France to reconsider her claim
would be conducted on basis similar
to that employed by America in ap-
preaching Great Britain on the cruiser
problem Of the two nations. That is to
say. France will be asked to state spe-
cifically Just why she needs this total
tonnage and why she needs the tonnage
she specifies in each category.
20 Cut off British List.
It was hoped that when these ques-
tons are answered it would be possible
TO arrive at lower figures. 1t has been
said that in the case of Great Britain
her cruiser total was cut from 10 to so
when this cold analytical method OF
reasoning was applied.
Some important bargaining points
for use in obtaining reduction OF the
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