SIR JOHN SIMON'S SPEECH

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20987, 16 October 1933, Page 9

SIR JOHN SIMON'S SPEECH

NO IMMEDIATE REARMING FRENCH AND AMERICAN SUPPORT GERMAN DELEGATES DUMBFOUNDED (UNITED PTll-.SS ASSOCIATION - —fi\' ELECTBIC TELEUKAi'U— COI'I'JtIGHT.) (Received October 15, 6.15 p.m.) GENEVA, October 14. Reviewing the progress of the Disarmament Conference and offering suggestions for its future course, I Sir John Simon said to-day, in the j conference, that the British Government believed that a disarmament' convention could not have been j agreed upon on a basis that would j provide for any immediate rearmament. Recent conversations had shown that the British draft convention, which had been adopted as the framework of the agreement, would require in some respects to be recast. It was designed to cover five years, and some powers wished it extended to eight years. So far no objection had been raised to a term of eight years. It would be devoted to securing two essential conditions: first, a special measure of disarmament actually completed; and, second, the achievement of the principle of equality within the realm of security. The eight-year scheme would begin with the transformation of armaments, with adequate supervision through the permanent Disarmament Commission. The exact amount of disarmament to be achieved in the eight years must be stipulated in the convention. Great Britain would not be satisfied if the degree of disarmament was not set out in full detail, and if it was not really adequate. A list of permitted arms would be drawn up and would be the same for all countries. The scheme would thus at the same time achieve substantial disarmament and equality, but the powers not restricted by peace treaties should not begin an increase of armaments immediately, but express willingness to conform i to time-table.

The agreement necessary at the outset, Sir John Simon said, was that no Government should manufacture or acquire weapons of any type that might eventually be abolished. "We earnestly desire the attainment of equality of status, which would best be accomplished by a programme such as we have suggested," he said. M. Paul-Boncour (France), supj porting Sir John Simon, insisted on the necessity of control, and emphasised that the object of the convention was to reduce the level of armaments, thus attaining equality. Mr Norman H. Davis (United States) reiterated M. Paul-Boncour's argument, and said that America would not participate in supervision unless the treaty contained precise disarmament provisions. Herr von Rhinebaben demanded that the heavily armed powers should immediately disarm, and that equality should immediately be realised. Germany was prepared to negotiate in respect of the quantities of arms to winch she was en-1 titled.

I The inflexibility of Sir John Simon's statement dumbfounded the Germans, who were disappointed by the united front shown by Great Britain, France, America, and Italy. The bureau decided that Sir John Simon's statement should be transmitted to the general commission for immediate discussion on Monday afternoon. This occasion will provide the opportunity for testing the nature of world opinion as it stands in the light of the latest developments. THE KING INFORMED (Received October 15, 8.13 p.m.) LONDON, October 14. His Majesty the King, who is at present at Sandringham, has been informed of Germany's withdrawal through official channels.

J" GERMANY VERSUS j THE WORLD" j ENGLISH PRESS COMMENT WORLD-WIDE ALARM AND ASTONISHMENT j (Received October 15, 11.20 p.m.) LONDON, October 15. I A leading article in the "Sunday j Times" says that Germany's self isolation is a colossal blunder. Her I decision is a defiance of the world, i and a blow to constructive effort everywhere. I "Germany versus the world," is how the "Observer" describes the situation, which is causing alarm and astonishment throughout the world, particularly in Italy, where officials are bewildered. ACTION DESCRIBED AS STUPID DELEGATE'S OPINION (Received October 15, 10.15 p.m.) GENEVA, October* 14. Commenting on Germany's withdrawal from the League and the; Armament Conference, the principal delegate of a great power ..a: | "The place must be a madhouse. It seems impossible that the Hitlerites are stupid enough to take such a line. They have been toying with I the fool idea of dividing the great, powers." British quarters in Paris are not surprised, and declare that this was the only thing Germany could do to, avoid being pilloried by Europe. I