THE ONLY OPTIMIST

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 192, 28 May 1934, Page 5

THE ONLY OPTIMIST

MR HENDERSON AT GENEVA. air; full of war rumours. . ARMS EXPENDITURE MOUNTING (United Press Association—Copyright). (Received This Day, 12.4.5 ■ p.m.) LONDON, May 27. "The Times," in a leading article, says that the Disarmament Conference will reassemble to-day with the air of Europe charged with rumours of war. The expenditure on armaments is mounting in almost every country. Signor Mussolini despairs of peace, and Franco-German relations are becoming gnore strained. Mr Henderson alone is optimistic.

THE QUESTION OF DISCUSSIONS.

MATTERS OF PROCEDURE

. ( LONDON, May 25. Mr Arthur Henderson (President of the Disarmament Conference) left London to-day for Geneva, where the Bureau of the Conference will, meet on Monday, and the General Commission on Tuesday. > During the last few days communications have passed between the interested Governments as to the possibility of preliminary bilateral discussions, through diplomatic channels, on the subject of procedure in certain questions, preparatory to the opening of the Naval Conference to be held next year. The British Government is responsible for instituting these communications and the United States Government has expressed a view favouring such preliminary talks. This expression of the American view is the only one which has so far reached London. The talks will probably take place ■in London, but .since diplomatic channels are .being used, they can, of course, take place in the capital of any country concerned. It will be recalled that the Naval Treaty expires in 1936 and that it was decided to hold a conference in the preceding year. It is anticipated that it will be held next spring.—British Official Wireless. THE BRITISH DELEGATION. LONDON, May 25. Sir John Simon (Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs) will leave London for Paris by air on Sunday morning, proceeding by night train to Geneva, where he will lead the British delegation, at the meetings of the Disarmament Conference next week. Mr li. A., Eden, wlib is in the south of France, will join Sir John Simon at Geneva.—British Official Wireless.