London, Feb. 12. The Naval Conference cleared a formidable obstacle to-day wher following a conversation lasting. al most an hour between the British Jand American delegations, " virtual Jagreement was reached to retain the '35,000-ton_ battleship.
No decision was reached on the calibre of guns which, It Is stated, Republic Not Wanted by Ulster srectaL to THE "=e, wet the ey.
isa subtle move which may result in incorporation with the Free, Sate decares de nal Standing committee of the Ulster Feport, published to-day, of the
Unionist Council The "November, elections, the roport_adds, bad again shown that Ulsters Toyalty wes unshaken obit "Engerial province elects, with even greater ern Dhsis; doetsines of Fepublican-Rime with all" their pernicious may be reduced from 16-inch to The drafting committee held two further meetings to-day and is ox-peeled ty conclude its task on Friday.
Despite her agreement to the 35- 000-ton battleship, it Is learnt that. France is still hopeful of the adoption of a lower limit, Th this connection, it is reported that she has suggested a compromise whereby "each Power be allowed to Bull. two 35,000-fon battleships to counterbalance the vessels of this size now being built by France and Italy.
'A solution along these lines might possibly commend itself temporarily fo the United States, but the Amer-Heang_are making it quite clear that will not be accepted permanently.
Meanwhile, all hope of inviting Russia and Germany to take part in the Naval Conference and to assist in. the drafting of a treaty has practically been abandoned.
'A series of consultations among the various delegations to-day revealed rigid French objection to sitting at. the Conference with the Germans, whose Navy, the French contend, is illegal.
Tu view of the French attitude, the British are proposing a compromise that Germany be kept continuously Informed of the proceedings of the drafting commit ice in the hope of Inducing the Germans to adhere to the agreements reached, as Britain Is. reluctant to sign any qualitative treaty to which Germany is not a
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.