Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-01
PARIS 0. K. OF NAVY
DEAL LIKELY TODAY
British Officials, With Rome
in Line, Confident of Sue
cess In France.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
ROME, February 2s.-Italy and Great
Britain today reached an agreement IN
principle for the settlement Of naval
problems left over by the London Cons
ference last year, and although the 60
cord Is subject to French approval. tn
official circles here there was o general
feeling that 1t Is al but signed.
Arthur Henderson, Britain fcreigm
secretary, who headed his nations naval
delegation at Paris and here, said co.
night before he started back for the
French capital, Wen get an agreement
in Paris If we do as well there as we
did here" He added that the prospects
were bright for such q result.
This tentative accord, which, when It
Is ratified, will obviate the danger Of q
Franco-Italian naval race, Is regarded
by many as even more important
politically than 1t is In q military sense.
Prestige Is Chief Concern.
Here in Rome italian prestige Is
uppermost In the Official mind, for there
is always present Premier Mussolini's
principle that the Rome Of the Caesars
world, and many arguments based on
the negotiations which ended today at
noon have been brought forward as in
dications that Italys diplomatic ability.
judgment and importance have been
fully recognized.
Behind the scenes Mussolini has been
active during the period of the negoti-
ations, and he took things into his own
hands yesterday. Last night at . din
ner In the British embassy he virtually
concluded the accord with Mr.. Hen
derSon.
The details were smoothed out this
morning between Mr.. Henderson and
Dino Grand, the Italian foreign MN
lister, and tonight government circles
were almost triumphantly happy.
Makes FIve-POwer Pact.
The agreement which both British
and Italian officials expect will be ep-
proved by France tomorrow. when the
British delegates stop at Paris on the
way to London, settles the Franco
Italian naval rivalry for the i've years
duration of the London pact. which Is
thus transformed into fve-power
treaty.
I'VE have made serious sacrifices, -
Grandi said tonight as he saw the
Britons of on train, but they were
necessary for the peace Of the world"
These sacrifices, according to those
close to Grand, really were made last
December, because the settlement
reached today was based on the Rosso-
Craigie plan which Great Britain fnals
ly induced France to accept. There are
few points still to be settled, but Mr..
Henderson Is said to be confident he
can adjust these at Paris.
Parity Not Mentioned.
Parity, a bone Of contention for more
than a year, was not mentioned in the
negotiations here, but Italians believe
real parity has been gained in more
ways than one. The exact tonnage fig-
ures agreed upon have not been dis
closed, but as the -Craigie plan
stands virtually unchanged, the italian
government feels its stand for approxt-
mate parity has been granted.
The Italian press, commenting dis
creetly because the government wants
to wait for French acceptance before
making any oficiai statement, discusses
the accord with . note Of pride and
confidence.
FRAME EXPECTS Accom-