DISARMAMENT PROBLEMS

Evening Star, Issue 21632, 30 January 1934, Page 9

DISARMAMENT PROBLEMS

BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S MEMORANDUM DESPATCHED TO INTERESTED POWERS / (British Official Wireless.) Press Association— By Telegraph—Copyright. RUGBY, January 29. (Received January 30, at noon.) Sir John Simon announced in the House of Commons that the British Government would shortly publish a memorandum embodying its views on the disarmament problems. He said he had used his Continental holiday to renew contracts with M. Chautemps, M. Boncur, and Signor Mussolini. These personal exchanges were of assistance in establishing points of agreement and clarifying the issues. The Foreign Secretary continued; “ 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 it lies in its power, to promote an agreement. The Government accordingly has expressed its views in a memorandum which' has now been despatched 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.” Sir John Simon added that the British Government took the view that any questions connected with' the reform of the League of Nations were secondary to, and successive upon, the more,immediate urgent question of disarmament. As regards the result of the discussions on this subject with Signor Mussolini he was glad to be able to state that this view had been confirmed by the Italian , Government, and also approved •by the French Government. Signor Mussolini had made it plain that the object of any proposals he might hereafter make would be to strengthen and make more efficient the 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 gny present steps in the matter.