A TURNING POINT

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 48, 19 November 1932, Page 11

A TURNING POINT

Disarmament Parleys BRITAIN’S PROPOSALS at Geneva IMPORTANT FEATURES (Received Nov. 18, 5.5 p.m.) Official Wireless. Rugby, Nov. 17. The British Government’s disarmament proposals were presented to the Disarmament Bureau at Geneva to-day by the Foreign Secretary, Sir John Simon. The feature which attracted most attention is a suggestion for immediate drastic reduction of air forces as a first stage in their total elimination. “In considering proposals that countries, including Britain, which possess large air armaments should redu'ce them to two-thirds the present size of the present British force," Sir John Simon said, “it should be remembered that although Britain now stands only fifth in size among world air Powers she did possess at the end of the war the largest and most powerful air force in the world, which she has since reduced unilaterally. “A further immediate measure proposed is the limitation of the unladen weight of military alrcraft'to the lowest figure generally agreed to. "Pending examination of these proposals, it is considered not unreasonable to expect Germany to withhold any claim to possess military aircraft.” Land and Naval Proposals. Regarding land armaments, he said that limitation of mobile guns to 105 ? millimetres^—Germany’s limit as prescribed by the treaty—and the abolition of tanks above a given weight fixed to exclude those suitable for offensive operations, were the most striking features. In reference to the naval proposals, which included a reduced size for battleships and cruisers and the abolition of'submarines, he said that further conversations were now proceeding at Geneva between representatives of the chief naval Powers. Sir John emphasised that the immense reductions is armaments made in recent years by Britain precluded her from going further without general agreement. The wireless report is supplemented by a Press Association cablegram, which states that Sir John Simon emphasised the necessity of considering geographical conditions, especially those of a nation with world-wide overseas responsibilities. Britain was seeking an agreement to limit the size of capital ships. Investigation showed that the 10,000-tons limit would fail of acceptance. The plan required that German construction should not increase the category of tonnage to which . her navy was restricted. Britain’s idea of 7000-ton six-inch gun cruisers approximated to the German limit. Tanks and Man-power. Sir John Simon reiterated Britain’s desire for the abolition of submarines, but insisted on Britain’s retention of light tanks as an essential - compensation lor her small enlisted army. A universal prohibition of tanks would Involve an increase in Britain's man-power. Consequently, as a measure of disarmament it would defeat its own ends. Britain was prepared to accept the Hoover proposals regarding effectives and military effectives in principle as a basis for discussion at Geneva. Sir John Simon said that the British proposals were primarily directed to finding a basis on which Germany’s claim to equality of status could be dealt with, while bearing in mind that the object of the Conference was to effect a maximum measure of disarmament. He suggested under the following four heads the best means of achieving equality:— (1) All European countries . should join in an agreement not to attempt under any circumstances to resolve any difficulties by resort to force. (2) Limitation of Germany’s armaments should be contained in the same disarmament convention as that which will define the limitation of the armaments of others. (3) German limitation would last for the same period as the limitation imposed on the armaments of other countries. (4) Germany should have a legal right to possesse armaments permitted to other countries on condition that there Is no rearmament. At the conclusion of his speech Sir John Simon raised his hands in a gesture toward Mr. Arthur Henderson, the chairman, and said: “I believe we have reached the turning point of the Conference.” Mr. Henderson said that as the Powers had shown a readiness to concede equality to Germany in principle, he hoped she would soon rejoin the conference. The delegates listened to. Sir John Simon irt rapt attention. The feeling everywhere is that a vitally importtant stage has been reached.