DISARMAMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 112, 8 November 1933, Page 10

DISARMAMENT

BRITAIN AND EUROPE

SIR J. SIMON ON SERVICES

POSITION OF GERMANY

(British Official Wireless.)

(Eeceived November 8, 1.30 p.m.)

RUGBY, November 7.

Continuing his disarmament statement (appearing on the cable page), Sir John Simon, in the House of Commons, said that Britain had set the example and led the way in reducing her own armaments to the lowest point by unilateral action: No doubt it was difficult for a great people with proud traditions in the past, who sincerely felt that they had cause for their grievances, to be patient, but it would be a gross injustice to Britain to forget all she had done to promote good relations in Europe after the .war by obliterating distinctions between victor and . vanquished. The most material contribution to restoring confidence in Europe, said Sir John, would be an international agreement on disarmament, to which, of course, Germany should be a party. EQUALITY AND SECURITY. The central political issue was how to reconcile Germany's demands tor equality with France's desire for security. Sir John continued: "I believe wo have a very special role to play, because it was Britain who brought the parties together. We have, used, and wo arc going on using, every effort, whether Germany is at Geneva or not, to that end. We shall not get out oi our difficulties by trying isolation when the advantages of isolation have disappeared. We shall not increase our influence for peace by declaring that it does not matter to us what our neighbours in Europe do or suffer. We have an immense moral authority to assert. Great Britain has disarmed, and has a right to speak, and wo use that authority in the only way we are able to use it, by making no special or select alliances with or against any Power, but by working for friendship and peace with all." The Foreign Secretary referred to the Locarno Treaty, and, having outlined its provisions,, ho pointed out that Italy was in the same position in regard to it as Britain, that the- Treaty could not be terminated, by unilateral action, and that it remained one of the principal stabilising influences in Europe, "The question is," ho continued, "whether the obligations of this country would' be ended if Germany two years hence carried out her intention of which she has given notice to1 leave the League of Nations. Germany has the opportunity of withdrawing that notice at any timo during the next two years, and the Government, and I am sure the whole House, earnestly trust that the course of events will result in her-doing so. A great deal can happen, and a groat deal will happen in the next two years, and every influence we can use will bo on the side- of reconciliation and peace. Do not let us speak today as if the march of future events were beyond the control of men of goodwill. LOCARNO OBLIGATIONS. "The view of the Government after consulting the law officers of the Crown is that withdrawal of any party to the Treaty" of Locarno from the League does not of itself and by itself involve the release of all parties from their obligations under the Treaty. But the withdrawal of Germany, if it ever becomes a fact, would raise issues of so far-reaching a character that it would be impossible to make any public statement upon them without careful consideration in consultation with the other parties to the Treaty. I would deprecate discussion of these hypotheses, which only serve to create apprehension, and it may be misapprehension. Much as we deplore Germany's recent action, unjustified as we think it to be, that is no reason for speaking as if the door she has shut is bolted and barred, and we shall seek every opportunity of keeping iii touch with her as well as with the other signatories to the Treaty of Locarno. ~ "The effort which that Treaty represents to promote stability in Europe is not exhausted, and our own influence in the cause of disarmament would not be increased, but would be fatally prejudiced if the existence and effect of that Treaty were not fully borne in mind. The promotion of general disarmament was one of its objects, and, while it is true that without apportioning the blame there has been sad d.clay in achieving an agreed disarmament, but not a moment lost in working for it, no friend of the cause should make disarmament more difficult than ever by suggesting that the assurances to which Britain has put her hand are assurances we are prepared to ignore." OUTSTRETCHED HAND. Sir John Simon ended with a reference to a speech ma do in Berlin last night by the German1 Foreign .Secretary, who declared that the Germans were making to the other Powers an honest and trustful offer, and invited them to take the hand Germany stretched out. Sir John said he recalled a recent statement by the Chancellor, Herr Hitler, intimating a wish to get into closer communication with the French. "We most earnestly trust those statements may lead in some form or other to a renewal of the contract, and this object will be pursued by. whatever method is found most useful of approach. The British Government has shown itself throughout prepared to consult with other Governments in this spirit, and we have never been sticklers for methods.''