FRANK SPEECH DISARMAMENT DEBATE

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 127, 31 May 1934, Page 12

FRANK SPEECH

DISARMAMENT DEBATE

SIR J. SIMON SUMS UP

MATERIAL FOR AGREEMENT

THE MAIN OBJECTIVE

(British Official Wireless.) (Received May .31, 2 p.m.)

RUGBY, May 30. Concluding; his lengthy review of the prospects' of the Disarmament Conference at Geneva, Sir John Simon, on behalf of Britain, said that he most earnestly trusted that the outcome of the debate might-be to. provide a solid ground for believing they could accomplish what they set out to do, and the British Government would "exert themselves to the uttermost to that end.

Was there not, he asked, material by combining such agreements as had already been reached with new conces: sions which must be made? And, in any case, could not they put into effective shape the protocols and make them ready for signature on two or three more limited, but most important matters, which appeared ripe for prompt and effective treatment? Such were:— (1) Chemical warfare, and (2) budgetary publicity. A third example would be the setting up of a Permanent Disarmament Commission. It would1 be needed in connection with both the matters just mentioned. Even if they could not place upon it all the responsibilities envisaged, it would be something accomplished, and would not obstruct, but would encourage and assist the wider agreement that was their main objective. While there could be no justification for going on in the spirit of pious and undefined optimism, there was a most,urgent need of deciding now what they could do and doing it without delay.