ARMS PLAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 73, 28 March 1933, Page 7

ARMS PLAN.

NATIONS APPROVE. DRAFT CONVENTION. 34 Speakers Accept Principle At Geneva. DISCUSSION ADJOURNED. (British Official Wireless.) (Received 1.30 p.m.) RUGBY, March 27. The delegates from many countries spoke when the discussion began on the British draft convention at the Disarmament Conference at Geneva, and practically all the speakers warmly welcomed the general idea of the plan. They also expressed appreciation of the motives underlying its production, and recognised its stimulating effect on the conference. Many, however, found individual points* in the scheme which, in their view, required amendment. This was in accordance with expectations, consequently Sir John Simon tabled a resolution that the convention should serve as a basis of discussion after Easter, various delegations retaining the right to propose modifications, amendments and additions Recording to their wishes. Sir John Simon expressed satisfaction at the reception given the plan, and said that out of 34 speeches made not one had disapproved it, despite its reservations. He was sure most countries were dissatisfied with the figures allotted to them, but further examination might be given to them. In reference to Germany, Sir John Simon said that she was not being asked for a further contribution to disarmament, but a contribution that would weigh heavily in the balance would be the establishment of confidence, good will and mutual understanding. House of Commons Questions. Points in the British draft disarmament convention were the subject of questions in the House of Commons, asked regarding the omission of Turkey from the list of European Powers mentioned in the effectives table of the conventions. Captain R. A. Eden, Under-Foreign Secretary, replied: "The greater .part of the Turkish effectives arc stationed outside of Europe, as are our own, and for this reason neither the Turkish figures nor our own appear in this particular list." Asked why the convention allotted Japan the same number of first line aircraft as Britain, having regard to the much larger area and population of the British Empire, the Prime Minister pointed out that the figures in the draft were inserted as a basis for discussion and negotiation. They did not cover the Dominions or India, which were separately represented at the Disarmament Conference.

SOVIET SUSPICIONS.

MUSSOLINI'S PEACE PLAN. LONDON, March 22. Moscow regards tne purpose of the visit of the British Prime Minister to Rome to plot against the Soviet, states the Riga correspondent of "The Times." The main -headline in "Izvestia" was "Plans for an Anti-Soviet Bloc." ► Other newspapers suggest the existence of a plot with Hitler to dissect Russia and demand that Germany declare her intentions. The Rome correspondent declares that Italy is greatly encouraged by the world-wide approval of Signor Mussolini's project. America's approbation is especially welcome as evidence that a four-Power collaboration is not regarded as an attempt to constitute a European front against America, but an effort to create a united Europe, which would be useful to the United States in the solution of her Pacific and Asiatic problems.