UNWISE STEP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 246, 17 October 1932, Page 7

UNWISE STEP.

GERMANY CRITICISED.

Four-Power Arms Conference At Geneva. ALIENATING SYMPATHY. (British Official Wireless.) (Received 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, October 16. Commenting on Germany's refusal so far to accept the proposal approved by Britain, France and Italy for a meeting at Geneva to seek a solution of the difficulty which interrupted the German participation in the work of the Disarmament Conference, "The Times" asks: "Is such a decision in Germany's interests?" The journal adds that at first sight it certainly seems to be a blunder that the German Government should refuse to discuss its wishes 'with the three other Governments principally concerned merely because it is now proposed to meet in one place- instead of another, and particularly as those other Governments have overcome many of their original objections. France in particular has been persuaded to limit the conversations to the four Powers and not to enlarge them, as she would have preferred. "It must seem unwise on the part of the German Government," says "The Times," "to wreck this proposal on what is a mere point of prestige, especially since it has won such a general admission of the justice of its claims for equal status. "In this country Germany's claim received almost universal sympathy and support on the understanding, which is paramount, that its recognition was to be made to promote disarmament all round, and not to be used as a pretext for rearmament. ' "This sympathy and support can only be weakened by anything which throws a doubt on the sincerity of Germany's desire for co-operation with the other Powers to work for the peace of Europe."