New Britain herald., 1930-04-02
Formula Considered

London, April 7 pl-A formula opening the way for a Franco Brit ish agreement on French demands for additional security and British hopes of reduced French naval ton- mage was under consideration today by the five power naval conference.
 If an agreement should cventuatc the second of the three principal barriers to a five power limitation treaty will have been removed. the only remaining barrier would be the Italian demand for naval parity with France. Japanese acceptance Of the Reed Matsudaira compromise schedule covering the Japanese American relationship removed the first.
 Although regarded favorably by the delegations themselves, it ap- pcared, there was question as to what viewpoint the British parlia- mentary opposition and the public would take to the formula, which ii was understood Franco accepts as making more definite British mii- tary commitments under the League VI +Nt-llolH NON tllclllt-
 Americans May Face Problem
 If it is accepted conference ob- servers believed that inc American delegation would be called upon, in line with it's recent offer, to "con- slder with an open mind" proposals to enter a pact to consult with the other signatory nations in the event Of throat nf T)iScnSSjnIl this phase revived pcrCeptibly today after languishing during the week. end pessinism.
 As understood generally here, the Franco British accord is being ap- preached through definition of ar ticle XVI of the covenant of the League of Nations in the light of 'anneX l'' of the LOcarno treaties. This annex, a letter to Germany by Great Britain, France. Italy, Czech oslovakia, Poland, and Belgium, in tcrpreting the mootcd article, said:
 The German delegation has re- Quested certain explanations with re- gard to article XVI of the covenant of the League of Nations. We are not in position to speak the name Of the league but in view of the dis Cussion which already has taken place in the assembly and in the commission of the League of Ma tlons and after explanations which have been exchanged between our selves we do not hesitate to inform you of the interpretation which as far as we are concerned we place on article XVI.
 In accordance with that inter- prctation obligations resulting from the said article on members of the icague must be understood to mean that each state members of the league is bound 10 cooperate loyally and effectively in support of the covenant and in resistance to any act of aggression to all extent that IS compatible with it's military sit nation and takes its geographical position into aCcount.'
 Obligation Involved
 In addition, it was said in circles close to the delegations, there is in volved recognition by Great Britain of obligations to participate in any league action in which tho decision of the council is unanimous. Great Britain, of course always sitting on the council, would always, it would appear, retain veto power.
 A final phase said to be under consideration was the contention of Aristide Briand, French foreign minister, was that if Great Britain accepted her league obligations to this extent, a short further cxten- sion to include the possible contin- genCies of war which still exist un- der the covenant should be possible.
 MT. MacDonald's statement yes- terday in the house of commons was accepted as indicating his attitude toward the arrangement. He said then: "The government has no in tcntions of entering into any com mitments which go beyond obliga- tions resulting from the covenant of the League of Nations and the treaty of Locarno.
 "The French government does not ask and has never asked that the British government should add to the burdens which already dcvolvcs upon them as a result of these con- mitments.'
 The Daily Herald, official organ Of the labor party, said today that the formula had been communicat- cd to Premier Tardieu at Paris The Daily Mail said also that NJ. Briand had expressed approval of the for mula in general terms. The Mail