DISARMAMENT PLANS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 43, 14 November 1932, Page 9

DISARMAMENT PLANS

Removal of Obstacles

“MORE HOPEFUL B ASIS” Big Developments Likely WORK OF GENEVA BUREAU (Received Nov. 13, 5.5 p.m.) official wireless Rugby, Nov. 12. Developments of far-reaching importance which may serve to remove the , obstacles impeding the progress of disarmament and place the discussion of tins vital international problem upon a much more hopeful basis, are likely to occur in the Bureau of tlie Disarmament Conference at Geneva next week. Not only will the French plan, already outlined, be elaborated and expounded by M. Herriot, the French Premier, but Sir John Simon, British Foreign Minister, who will fly to Geneva on Sunday, will present in detail proposals which are the natural sequel to the British Government’s statement of policy contained in his important speech in the House of Commons on Thursday night. In regard to the proposal that frank recognition of Germany’s claim to equality of status in arms should be accompanied by a declaration in which European status would engage not to attempt to resolve any present or future differences between them by resort to force, such an undertaking would imply something more than a reaffirmation of the Kellog Pact .which precluded resort to war as an instrunient of international policy. The world is familiar with occasions when although there has mechanically been no resort to war there has undoubtedly been resort to force. It is with the Idea of precluding the employment of such measures that the proposal is put forward. New Factor in World Politics. Sir Austen Chamberlain described the Foreign Secretary’s statement as not merely a speech, but a new factor in world politics and a factor with immense power for good. It has received practically unanimous approval in the House of Commons and in the The newspapers regard it as singularly appropriate that the Armistice Day observance should have been ushered in with the debate on international affairs which took place in the House of Commons on Thursday night. The most important feature of the debate was tlie statement by the Foreign Secretary, Sir John Simon, who defined the British attitude toward Germany’s claim to equality, the French disarmament plan and Britain's own contribution to disarmament. The French Proposals. Regarding the French plan he observed that, whatever might be said about some of its structural details, the plan was inspired by a genuine desire to come to a friendly arrangement with Germany. Moreover, the proposal for an international pact of non-aggression in Europe excited the warmest sympathy of the British Government. Regarding the French proposal to meet the German claim to equality bv a common basis for all countries, he said that it meant that the Treaty of Versailles was not sacrosanct and led him to define the British attitude toward the German claim, in which he

indicated the acceptance of the German claim conditional upon the contribution of a solemn oath between all European nations that force would never be used to settle any present or future disputes. EFFECT IN GERMANY Deep Impression Everywhere Berlin, Nov. 11. Sir John Simon’s speech in the British House of Commons has made a deep impression everywhere. Official circles are closely analysing it to see what is expected of Germany. The Boersen Courier” describes It as sensational. The “Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung’ says that it is a definite advance. Others comment on Britain’s change of front. The official attitude on Sir John Simon’s speech denotes a great adrance, but Germany will not attend tlie Disarmament Conference until other nations admit her equality. Germany will not renounce her claim to revision of the Peace Treaty nor pledge herself to an Eastern Locarno.