Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-27
OFFICIALS MORE HOPEFUL


washington official circles, although
seriously disturbed by the breakdown"
of the London naval negotiations be-
tween France, Great Britain and Italy,
refuse to consider this more than
temporary suspension Of negotiations.
According to well informed sources
neither Of the interested powers can
really afford a complete breakdown,
which would not only jeopardize the
chances Of the general disarmament
conference, but might plunge Europe
into chaos. II Is firmly believed here
that the European statesmen, realizing
the gravity Of the situation, will find
some way out to facilitate a Franco
Italian naval agreement. According TO
news received here in the course of the
last 90 hours the technical aspect Of the
situation does not justify a complete
breakdown.
The French government raised the
question Of the replacement Of $4,000
tons of already average ships which are
still In commission, because in the pre-
liminary agreement between France,
Italy and Great Britain it was clearly
stated that the tonnage of new con-
structions TO be completed shall not
exceed the tonnage which is replaceable
before the 3lst Of December, 1886" 1t
Is around this phrase, Ito be COM
pleted." that the whole thing was
argued. According to the French point
OF view, France undertakes not to have
the requirements completed before De-
ceniber 81, 1886, but, since 1t takes any
thing from two and half years TO three
years to build a ship. she reserved the
right to begin constructing those ships
In 1884. These requirements would not
be put In commission before January
/, 1887.
The British and the Italians objected
to this point Of view and last Tuesday
the French decided TO make a further
concession by reserving the right to
begin the replacement building pro-
gram only in July, 1885. This date
was not chosen at random. According
to the London naval treaty a new con-
ference of all the signatorieS Of the
London treaty Is to be called In 1885.
The French expressed their Willingness
to wait until the results of that con-
ference were known before they started
the construction of the $4,000 tons re-
placements. If that conference proved
to be q success the French probably
would have conformed with the deci-
sion reached then.
It appears, however, that this last
proposal Of the French was not &C
cepted by the British and the Italians.
and the delegates could not continue
their work since this, the French stated,
According TO well informed quarters
this somewhat minor technical detail
did not cause the breakdown. It Is
stated that the French. worried over the
German-Austrian tariff union and OF
the uncertain attitude of the British
and the Italians regarding the French
situation at the coming disarmament
conference, had asked those two powers
TO make their position clear before
France signed the naval agreement. II
Is believed here that neither Britain nor
Italy were willing To pledge themselves
TO any definite political understanding
with France until after the League OF
Nations meeting at Geneva early in
May, when the question Of the Austro-
German tariff union will be carefully
examined.
It Is expected here that some salts
factory Interpretation of that union
will be found then, and the naval
negotiation between the three interested
countries viii be resumed shortly after
ward. In the meantime American
diplomats abroad, while not entangline
the United States into any compromise
are again using their good offices In
trying to find some new basis OF agree
nnent satisfactory TO both the French
and the Italians