The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-03-25

equality was one to which Britain also adhered.
 Davis, in a speech at the signing ceremony, pleaded eloquently for real naval limitation and expressed the hope that the present treaty would lead to a more inclusive one. He made an indirect plea also for Japan, Italy, Germany and Russia to adhere to the terms Of the treaty signed today. ,,
 With good will on the part of all naval powers, Davis said, a naval race could be prevented after the expiration of the Washington and London treaties December 3l.
 BY JOSEPH II. BAIRD
 United Press Staff COrrespOndenD
 Washington, March 25-(UP)- Reaff1rmation of Anglo American naval parity was regarded here to- day as continuation of policy upon which the two English speak ing sea powers agreed at the 1880 London conference.
 The restatement of policy, to be made today in an exchange Of let ters between American Ambassador at Large Norman H. Davis and British Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden, was regarded as important because 1t gives new assurance against 8 naval race between the two English-speaking sea powers.
 Reafiirmation of naval parity by exchange of letters, 1t was believed, was for the purpose of avoiding the impression that the agreement was in any sense an Anglo-American al- lance.
 They Were Alarmed
 American officials have been alarmed recently by reports from London that the United States and Great Britain plan to pool their fleets in the pacific in the event of trouble with a third power, rumors which probably had their origin in the Davis-Eden exchange.
 They emphasized that there is no agreement, even implied, of an al- lance.
 Diplomatic observers here viewed the three-power treaty as proof that at least three powers could agree on something. But as 8 real check on naval expansion, the treaty was considered virtually impotent It forbids little--and even that little has strings attached to it.
 Better Than Nothing
 Even so, diplomats here consider the treaty as better than nothing. It will, if carried out, prevent com petition in the size of ships, If not in their number. Its provision for an exchange of information among the powers on their building pro- grams is expected to decrease fear and suspicion among the worlds naval giants. It may become eve: more effective if Japan and Ger many also agree to the exchange of naval information, as they will be asked to do.
 Failure of the nations to conclude a more detailed, binding agreement which would have really reduced or at least limited navies, is blamed by observers here on two factors: CD Japans withdrawal from the London conference, which meant that any agreement signed among the other nations would leave one of the greatest naval powers free to build as it liked. (2) The rise of German sea power and the result ing political tension in Europe.
 From an American point of view, one of the greatest deficiencies of the treaty is that it leaves com pletely untouched the political prob lems of the Pacific--Which, indeed, was imperative without Japans ad- herence. When the Washington agreement expires next January, the game among the powers in the Far East will be played without rules.
 Signing of Treaty
 London, March 25-(UP)-The naval conference convened at 4:15 D. m, today in St. James's balance for the signature of the three power treaty.
 Lord Monsell directed a strong appeal to Japan to join the treaty, despite her exodus from the confer ence.