The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-01-23
Parity With Britain Keynote
of His Address at Lon
don Farley.
NO HOSTILE QUESTIONS
American Secretary Of
State Defines Needs as
'ReIatiVe.'
BY WEBB MILLER
United Press STAFF Correspondent

LONDON. Jan. 23.-The five pow
ers at the London naval conference
TODAY we're invited in effect by Sec
rotary of State Henry L. Stimson TO
attempt not merely limitation, but a
general reduction of naYies.
He expressed the willingness of
the United States to reduce its navy,
II the others do likewise.
The United States plenipotentiary
made his declaration at the first
business session of the conference
In st. James palace, at which the
chief delegate of each nation pre-
scented his countrys naval views III
general terms.
Stimson'S declaration, while brief,
probably was the most specific ut
terance of the day. He made no
statement of American naval re-
quirements, stressing merely that
equality with Great Britain was an
understood principle.
He then said national defense re-
quirements of the various nations
are relative and added the significant
statement, and therefore, if this
conference can find a way by which
D general reduction can be secured,
our own navy Likewise can be re-
duced."
The session was private, and di-
gest of the events was given to the
press after the meeting.
Interesting" Premier's Comment
''It was most interesting, most in
forming and most friendly" Prime
Minister Macdonald told the press
in reporting on the session. 1.-THE
business was a report of the naval
needs of each country, not in terms
sof naval strength, but in terms of
geographical position and political
responsibility.
There were no hostile questions
~ one delegation to another"
After electing Sir Maurice Han
key as encouragement and going
through the formality of naming all
of the delegates to the permanent
committee of a whole, the confer
ence was adjourned until next
week. Separate conversations were
resumed in the afternoon and the
negotiations which have been under
way privately all week will be con-
tinued
The general attitude Of the five
powers as presented to the confer
ence today may be broadly outlined
as follows:
United States
The United States naval strength
could be reduced if the conference
finds a basis for agreement. Ma
tional requirements largely are
relative, Stimson maintained. He
said the keynote of the United
states requirements is parity with
Great Britain.
Great Britain
Prime Minister Macdonald EN-
phasized the necessity of Great
Britain's free access to the sea to
satisfy the will to live. He said
that was the foundation Of the
British naval problem and indicated
The risk to Britain in being a small
island twenty miles from Europe,
and dependent on Sea-borne traffic.
British Empire
The empire representatives ad-
dressed the conference briefly and
in general terms regarding the i'm
portance of the success Of the con-
ference.
France
Premier Andre Tardieu elaborated
On the French memorandum OF
Dec. 20, Stressing Frances claims to
a large feet because of her colonial
empire. In the memorandum,
France declared there could be no
difficulty in justifying her national
requirements. he explained. France,
he continued. will make known her
tonnage requirements corresponding
to her national needs and taking
into account her geographical posi-
ton on three seas and the extent of
her colonial empire area.
Italy
Foreign Minister Dino Grandi
urged the necessity for security of
each country from relative and
reciprocal standpoint. He also
stressed the relation Of naval re-
uuirements to other ornaments. He
said Italy recognizes the connection
between armament requirements
and security and accepts the prin-
ciple of the League of Nations that
ornaments should be reduced to a
point compatible with defense needs.
Visit Cenotaph