A YEAR OF ARMS CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20772, 4 February 1933, Page 15

A YEAR OF ARMS CONFERENCE.

MR HENDERSON IS DISAPPOINTED. FRENCH PLAN CRITICISED. (BRITISH OmCIAI. WIRELESS.) (Received February 3, 6.6 p.m.) RUGBY. February 'i. The General Commission of the Disarmament Conference met in Geneva to-day. The President. Mr Arthur Henderson, said that the year had been eventful, but a* far as real disarmament was concerned, it had been profoundly disappointing. The business of the Commission was a discussion of the French plan, which was presented by M. MassigJi. Critical speeches were delivered by baron Aloisi, of Italy, and Herr Nadolny, ot Germany, both stressing the wish ot their countries for positive disarmament measures. At. the conclusion of the debate on the French Plan, the Commission will probably examine the recent Hntish proposals for speeding up the work ot the Conference

DEMAND FOR ACTION. INADEQUACY OF PROGRESS MADE. (Received February 3, 6.6 p.m.) RUGBY, February 2. The Disarmament Conference to-day celebrates its first anniversary, and a manifesto on its work issued on behalf of a large number of national organisations, political,, educational, and industrial, has been communicated to the British Government and to the British delegation at Geneva. The signatories express the conviction that early achievement of a substantia) measure of general disarmament by international agreement is imperatively needed, both for a just and peaceful world order, and for that confidence without which economic recovery is impossible. They profess themselves disappointed, though not disheartened, by the inadequate progress during 1932, and promise support for a policy of drastic international disarmament.

HOPES OF TANGIBLE RESULTS. MR CHAMBERLAIN'S VIEW. (MI'TIRii OFFICIAL WIHELEBB.) RUGBY, February 2. Speaking on the subject of disarmament in his address to American journalists, the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr Neville Chamberlain) expressed the view that if the noxt few weeks passed without unsettling or disturbing events in Europe, some tangible results might b© expected from the Disarmament Conference. Such results would be very helpful in the debt negotiations, although he did not admit that there was any connexion between debts and disarmament.