POSSIBLE EFFECT IN EAST

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20988, 17 October 1933, Page 9

POSSIBLE EFFECT IN EAST

j Change in World Politics JAPANESE HOPES tI'KITKU ll.l'.SS AS.SOCIA'IU.N- HY KI.KCTKIG 'IT.I.ECHi.U'H — COPYRIGHT.') (Received October 16, 10.37 p.m.) TOKYO, October 15. It is officially stated that Germany's withdrawal from the league will not afreet Japan's foreign policy, or her attitude to the league or the. Disarmament Conference. However, the Foreign Office was watching the position carefully. The opinion was expressed that America and Russia, whose relations towards Japan had lately been causing apprehension, would find more serious problems in Europe, causing changes in their policy as a result of which Japan's policy would also be modified. The new Congress of National Socialists rejoices at the collapse of the league, and declares that new relations based on the equality of nations can now be established.

HOPE OF SOLUTION

j OFFICIAL ITALIAN VIEW i i | POSSIBLE CONTKREMT. (Received October 10. 10.4!) p.m.) ROME, October Hi. Italian political circles refuse to see Germany's withdrawal in a tragic light. Berlin will be assured that it is no use looking to Rome for support. An official communique counsels a calm examination of the possibility of reaching an understanding, to which Herr Hitler has not closed the door, but more favourable circumstances for a re-examination of the whole problem must be awaited. This is taken to mean that Signer Mussolini will take- the first opportunity to invite the signatories of the Four Power Pact to meet. "II Messagero" says Italy is prepared to lead the way in co-opera-tion to re-establish equilibrium. The German Ambassador cabled Signor Mussolini after the latfer's dinner in honour of Sir Ronald Graham, British Ambassador, whose communication to Whitehall will be informative.

SIR JOHN SIMON'S SPEKCH CERTAIN CONCESSIONS SAME PERMITTED ARMS I OR AM. NATIONS (Received October Id. 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, October 14. Sir John Simon, in his statement to the bureau of the Disarmament Conference, said that in speaking of rearmament he did not mean to dispute the reasonableness of the claims that transformation of the German Reichwehr into a short-ser-vice army even of twice its present numerical strength would have the effect of reducing its quality and discipline. Great Britain earnestly desired to establish by international agreement a condition of equality of status. He felt he could speak plainly and frankly, for the time had gone by for glossing over difficulties by vague, optimistic utterances. A system of disarmament, frankly entered into and loyally carried out. would be of the greatest value to the world, and it was equally clear that nothing was to be gained by interminable discussions which dirl not face the essential matters on which differences still existed. Sir John Simon added that MiArthur Honderson had suggested that a permanent Disarmament Commission might be set up as soon as a convention was signed without waiting for ratification. "If this suggestion is found feasible it should be welcome, for it aims at shortening the period of actual disarmament and the period in which equality would be effectively reached." he said. "It is a matter of close consideration to determine how much of the eight years will be needed for the initial steps. Length of Trial. "■Transformation of armies involves technical questions which will move to time-tables, and in the meantime a real feeling of confidence should develop and the-day be brought nearer when the whole plan is agreed to and is in due process of execution. 'Without binding myself finally to the length of the first stage. I repeat that a period of four ycavb was mentioned by several Governments, although others have raised the question of whether it should not be somewhat shortened. Whatever the length of the first stage may be it is essential to make it clear that the convention itself should have to contain at the time of its signature the detailed scheme of disarmament provided for as the first result to be obtained bv the time its full period of, say, eight years comes to an end. "The result of the abolition of various kinds of armaments and of the prohibitions against their further use will be to constitute a common list of permitted arms, which would become the same for all countries, and thus the differential position of the powers whose armaments were limited by the peace treaty would finally cease."

M." Joseph Paul-Boncour insisted on the necessity of control. He indicated that it was the view of the French Government that a trial period of four years was certainly necessary. It was not only justified bv the uncertainty of the present nolitical situation but as a test of the value of control. The aim of the convention was not only to prevent any nation from rearming but to make other powers disarm. That was the onlv possible way to reach equality of status between the nations.