New Britain herald., 1930-01-22
Decline to Discuss Situation

All participants declined to dis Cuss or detail subjects discussed at a widely commented on uInne' par ty last night which was attended. by the heads of the American, British and French delegations. Ramsey Macdonald. Arthur Henderson, Co., lonel Henry l.. Stimson, Dwight Morrow, Andre Tardieu and Aris- tide Briand were present. The meeting lasted well into the night. Afterwards those present would say only that they had had a pleasant evening together discrssing gener- al problems.
 There were indications previously that long talk between Premier Tardieu and the Italian foreign minister Dino Grandi. had resulted in complete lack Of progress toward rcconciling the disagreement in Italian and French viewpoints re- garding naval parity. Jt was evident that this talk had to do with the general outline of national desires rather than an actual effort at agreement,
 Today was given over entirely to informal consultations, reaching in many directions. The next general meeting of the delegates will be to- morrow at St. James's palace, when the conference will resolve itseir in to a committee of the whole for private consideration of procedure.
 Committee Too Large ' II was well understood, however that a committee of 27 was too large 10 be expected to make much progress except along ways mapped out by smaller committees. General expectation was that when the ground had been prepared further by informal discussions, "big i've, , composed of the heads of the dele sations, would be constituted to take troublesome problems in hand
 Thus in the entire method of pro. cedure the conference differs great ly from that at Washington in 1921. and the later meeting of the United States, Great Britain and Japan, at Geneva. The. plan at London is to lay the diplomatic groundwork be- fore embarking upon technical de- tails of naval limitation, and . 70 trust real decisions to the delegation heads, rather than to committees or expert advisers.
 With reference to France it was the hope of the other delegations to smooth, as far as possible, the polit- lcal features Of the situation be. fore going into naval figures. Frances aspiration for a close-knit colonial empire, her hope that any results of the London conference would be linked with the disarma. ment work of the League of Ma tions, and her desire for a security understanding covering the Moditer- ranean area all were regarded Tn conference circles as questions for statesmen, rather than for admirals.
 Adjustment Natural Sequence
 If an understanding is reached on these questions adjustment of naval strength to fit would be expected to follow easily.
 It was likewise with Italy's de sire for parity with France. This is a question the other powers feel the two nations should be able to settle between themselves after which applicable naval standards could be discussed. Nevertheless all delegations were interested in any problem which appeared to endan- ger the final accord.
 Although no plans yet have been made for q British and American meeting with the Italians to de- relop their viewpoint, as that of the French was developed last night, it would cause no surprise if some such talk were arranged in the inn mediate future.
 Thus far the Japanese delegates { have taken no conspicuous part in 1 .he interdelegation consultations i although they were received late | yesterday by MT. Macdonald Japan's desire for q greater tonnage i ratio than was accorded her a, 1 Washington remained momentarily Kin the background, although the 1 delegates were prepared to consid-
 CT it in due tune.
 Two facts-that it has been Jeff
 until later, and the repeated as, surances of conciliation on the part
 Of the Japanese leaders-were talk.
 en to mean there was general con.
 fdcnce a satisfactory solution would | be possible.
 Actual Details Dropped I Actual details of Anglo -Afncri can parity likewise have momen
 tarjIy been dropped from the sur
 face of the conference discussions
 but no one expects that subjcc
 finally to be disposed Of withou
 much discussion.