BRITISH GOVERNMENT STATES ITS VIEWS

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 108, 31 January 1934, Page 9

BRITISH GOVERNMENT STATES ITS VIEWS

Note on Disarmament Sent to Powers PUBLICATION PROMISED IN NEAR FUTURE (British Official Wireless.) (Received January 30, 5.5 p.m.) Rugby, January 29. Sir John Simon announced in the House of Commons this afternoon that the British Government would shortly publish a memorandum embodying its views on disarmament problems. He recalled the decision taken on November 22 by the Bureau of the Disarmament Conference that its work at that stage could best be assisted by parallel and supplementary efforts between the various States and the full use of diplomatic machinery. To facilitate these, said Sir John, he had used bis Continental holiday to renew contacts with Messieurs Chautemps and PaulBoncour and Signor Mussolini. These personal exchanges were of assistance in establishing points of agreement and in clarifying the issues. Steps had also bean taken by the Government through diplomatic channels to obtain from the German Government fuller and more detailed information as to the real intent and purpose of the declaration made by the Chancellor of the German Reich subsequent to the announcement of the withdrawal of . the German Government from the Disarmament Conference. The German Government replied to these inquiries ou January 19. In the meantime there had also been exchanges between the French and German Governments. The British Government had been informed of all these communications, and had followed them with the closest attention. The Foreign Secretary continued: “As a result his Majesty’s Government has arrived at the decision that the time has now come when it should make known its own attitude in the present situation, the gravity of which must be apparent to every thoughtful mind, and should thus make further positive contributions so far as lies in its power to promote agreement. The Government has accordingly expressed its views in a memorandum which has now been dispatched to its representatives abroad for communication to the Governments chiefly concerned in the recent negotiations. It is the intention of the Government to publish this memorandum as soon as there has been an opportunity for its consideration by those Governments.”

The Foreign Secretary., continuing, said that the British Government took the view that any questions connected with the reform of the Deague of Nations were secondary to and successive upon the more immediate and urgent question of disarmament. As a result of the discussions on the,subject with Signor Mussolini, he was glad to be able to state that his view had been confirmed by the Italian Government, and was also approved by the French Government. Signor Mussolini made it plain that the object of any proposals he might hereafter make would be to strengthen and make more efficient tlje machinery of the League. While therefore the British Government had the situation under careful consideration, pending the outcome of its efforts at present being undertaken to secure an agreed disarmament convention, it was not its intention to take any present steps in the matter. PARIS RECEIVES NOTE Some Points Revealed (Received January 30. 11.22 p.m.) London, January 30. The British United Press’s Paris correspondent reports that Sir John Simon’s memorandum has arrived. It definitely favours granting Germany immediately defensive armaments limited in extent and also wishes to abolish the test period. It is unofficially reported that Britain suggests that the strength of the Reichswehr be 250.000. thus compromising between German and French demands. BERLIN OPINION Reconciliatory Effect Berlin, January 29. It is believed that Britain’s reply has goue far to reconcile Franco-German disarmament views, particularly regarding the German acquisition of defensive weapons.