The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-02
NAVAL TROUBLES
 WITH ITALY AND
 FRANCE INVERTED
Each Nation Has Signed an Agreement on the Build= ing Program and Peace of Europe Assured
By STEWART BROWN United Press Staff CorrespOndentl

Paris, March 2.-CUP) The threat of naval construction race between France and Italy which would have upset the London naval treaty was removed to-day by an agreement between France, Italy and Great Britain regulating construction until 1886, when another naval con- ference will be called.
 The agreement crowned a year of Acrimonious negotiations dominated by the possibility that France and Italy would begin a building race which would cause England to in- crease her naval forces under the "escalator clause" of the London treaty. This clause made it possi- ble for Britain, the United States or Japan to resume building if any of the three signatories to the full treaty considered it's position threat ened by the naval programs of other powers.
 Foreign Minister AriStide Briand announced that the terms of the tri- power agreement would not be re- cealed for several days, as England wishes to confer with her dominions before signing. Meanwhile Britain lis charged with obtaining the con- sent of the United States and Japan to the agreement which, according | to Minister of Marine Charles Du- mont, entails slight modification of the London treaty"
 | Consultation of the dominions will begin as soon as British Foreign Sec lretary Arthur Henderson and First
 Lord of the Admiralty A. V. Alex lander, who acted os mediators be- tween Italy and France, return to London to-day When it is decided that the details of the agreement
 will not conflict with Britain's
 colonial interests, the ceremony oi signing the three-power accord will be arranged immediately.
 British and French officials declin- ed to comment on the terms of the agreement but the United Press learned from an excellent source Ithat French naval superiority over IItaly was reduced from 240.000 tons Ito 100000 tons, most of the reduc-
 tion coming from projected subma-
 rines and super-submarines.
 It was agreed that the battleshir tonnage allotted at the Washington Naval Conference would not be used flor ships of over 25,000 tons. France obtained the right to build three I23,3UU ton VeSSelS Ol tHc SuPSf' Icruiser class.
 In return for superiority in global or total tonnage, it was believed that France gave Italy slight superior |ity in light cruisers and torpedo de. lstroyers, but retained supremacy. ir |submarines. It was understood thai lItaly demanded the sacrifice oi suner-submarines in the French pro. Igram, and that France made the lconcession because her coastal sub
 marines are sufficient for her present needs.
 France and Italy. it was under lstood, agreed on parity in 10,000-tor lcruisers although it was stipulated lthat none of the battleship tonnage Iallotted at the Washington confer lence would be transferred to thii lclass.
 The French fell certain that thu Limited States and Japan would ap prove the Modus Viviendi regulating lconstruction, since Franco-Italiai
 building for the next four years wll
 be limited practically to replace lments.
 It was appointed out that tn,