Germany and Disarmament

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20989, 18 October 1933, Page 8

Germany and Disarmament

As was to be expected, Germany's decision to withdraw from the Disarmament Conference and the League of Nations has been violently denounced by newspapers and statesmen in Great Britain, France, and the United Stales. Only a few writers and speakers seem inclined to take a wider and more sensible view of the incident. There is little doubt, of. course, that the German Government's decision, far from being an impulsive gesture, was a deliberate and carefullyplanned manoeuvre. There have been many signs lately that on the economic side the Nazi revolution is encountering serious difriculties. It was claimed recently that unem-

ployment had been reduced by the amazing figure of 353,000; but later information suggests not only that this estimate is open to question but that the methods taken to reduce unemployment, which include forced labour and the coercion of employers, have aroused much unrest. Further, the Reichstag tire trial has not added to the prestige of the administration. In the circumstances the German Government must have been glad of the opportunity to raise an issue certain to stimulate and unify national feel-

ing. But while Herr Hitler s motives may be open to suspicion, it is not easy to find fault with the grounds he "has chosen for his challenge to the other powers. The Treaty of Versailles imposed severe limitations on German armaments " in order to "render possible the initiation of "a general limitation of the arma- '• ments of all nations : '; and though both Sir John Simon and M. Herriot have discreetly called attention to the vagueness of this clause, i neither has dared to deny that the obligation to disarm exists and that the time has come for its fulfilment. But, as the German Foreign Minis-

ter has pointed out, even the unqualified general acceptance of the British convention, now the basis of the Geneva discussions, would not result in any real measure of disarmament. Indeed, its net effect would probably be an increase in the armaments of the former allied powers". Nor is it easy to criticise the German Government's attitude in the controversy over '•' equality "of status." It has been virtually admitted by Great Britain, France, and the United States that Germany is entitled to the same status at the

conference as the other powers and, further, that she is entitled, though not immediately, to an armed strength befitting her size: and population. Hcrr Hitler has, been careful to emphasise that Ger- i many is not anxious to rearm, that she does not demand immediate equality of armaments, and that she is ready to accept a "trial period." What she does demand, however,, is the right to equip herself with any weapon permitted to the other powers. Sir John Simon and Mr Cordell Hull have made a great parade of their determination that the Disarmament Conference shall not result in an increase in German armaments. There is only one way to prevent Germany from rearming; and it is to bring about, a substantial and effective reduction in the general level of: armaments. The way is still open.