Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-11
London Digest Gives France
Superior Tonnage, but
Ends Rival Building.
DATE NOT ANNOUNCED
FOR SIGNING AGREEMENT
Substitution OF Cooperation fol
Distrust Considered Vital Factor
in European Affairs.
BY the Associated Press.

oS ILG ASSOClhbG6 EIGhSs
LONDON, March 1.-THE terms of
the naval agreement between Great
Britain, France and Italy covering cap
ital ships, aircraft carriers, cruisers and
submarines, and bringing France and
Italy into harmony with the London
naval treaty, were issued today.
They we're included in a memoran-
dun prepared by Arthur Henderson,
foreign secretary, and A. ". Alexander,
first lord of the admiralty, for Parlia-
ment. An annex to the memorandum
giving the bases Of agreement" was
understood to be virtually the text of
the pact which smooths out the trou-
bled European naval situation.
After achieving agreement at Paris
and Rome. the British delegates re-
turned TO London, so the terms could
be submitted to the United States,
Japan and the British dominions.
Accord. to Be Signed.
When the accord is Signed--a eere-
mony for which the cate has not yet
been fixed-the official text will be
published, as in the case of all such
documents relative to world disarma-
ment; and will thus be available for
use in connection with the Geneva
Disarmament Conference next year.
The essence Of the Franco Italian
agreement Is maintenance of the status
quo In tonnage ratios, France retaining
an estimated superiority of 15o, 900 tons
More important than its technical
aspects, however, may be the rapid
substitution Of political cordislity and
cooperation among European naval
powers for the suspicion and uncer-
tainty which have existed since France
and Italy withheld full agreement to
the London pact.
Eliminates Naval Race.
Their threatened naval race never goi
started, but often 1t seemed imminent
The new situation definitely eliminates
the possibility Of such competition.
The agreement was published as q
memorandum on the results of the
negotiations with France and Italy fol-
the reduction Of naval ornaments" The
text is that presented by Mr.. Henderson
TO Parliament.
The memorandum states agreement
has been reached by the three nations
on all points. Terms of the settlement
are dependent upon the approval of all
signatorieS to the London pact, inciud-
ing the United States and Japan.
Basis Of Agreement.
The basis of the Franco Italian agree
ment, as outlined In the memorandum
Is the. detailing of the limits of both
the French and Italian building pro-
grams in all fleet categories until 1886
It is estimated by naval experts that
France will Continue to hold q Supe-
riority of about $4,000 tons over the
Italian 1set, although this is not stated
explicitly in the memorandum.
Under the new accord, France and
italy accept all provisions Of part three
Of the London naval treaty which they
declined to approve last Spring.
The building provisions give both
France and italy the right to complete
before December, 1885, two capital ships
whose displacement shall not exceed
1888 tons and whose gun caliber shall
not exceed IL inches.
Aircraft Carrier Tonnage.
Each nation may build $4,000 tons OF
aircraft carriers.
These two categories, capital ships
and aircraft carriers, are regulated by
the washington treaty.
AS for vessels whose tonnage Is regu-
lated by the London treaty, the Hender-
son memorandum says that neither
France nor italy will build any more
submarines other than for completion OF
their 1880 programs and for replace
ment Of average tonnage.
As regards cruisers, France and italy
agree that after completion Of the 1890
class they will build no more big cruis-
erS-those carrying armament larger
than six-inch guns. This clause is ef-
fective during the life Of the present
agreement.
In the small cruiser category the two
nations agree that tonnage of new con-
struction to be completed shall net ex-
coed the tonnage which is replaceable
in this category before December 81
1886.
Capital Ship Provision.
BY the new capital ship agreement
the Washington treaty tonnage basis Il
increased for France and Italy, respec.
lively, from ITS, 900 to 18I 900 tons, but
the Henderson memorandum explains
that this slight increase of total ton.
mage will not in itself give rise to any
new. construction during the period Of
the agreement.
Also the gun caliber of projected cap
ital ships will be reduced from /;
inches to IL inches.
The whole agreement looks forwarC
to general revision of the naval ques.
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