BRITISH MEMORANDUM

Evening Star, Issue 21638, 6 February 1934, Page 9

BRITISH MEMORANDUM

DISARMAMENT PRSPDSALS CONSIDERATION BY POWERS (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. RUGBY, February 3. London has not received and does not yet expect any considered comments on the new British disarmament memorandum from the Governments to which it was commmunicated. For the time being, it is understood, the proposals are being carefully examined in their political and technical aspects, and this process is likely to be followed by verbal exchanges of views, in which British representatives abroad will explain or elaborate any points upon which additional information is required. The hope is expressed with some confidence that when the president and principal officers of the Disarmament Conference meet in London on February 13 to consider the situation they will find that the preliminary negotiations between the principal Powers have produced a considerable advance. HOUSE OF COMMONS DEBATE REGARDED AS IMPORTANT EVENT. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 5. (Received February 6, at noon.) To-morrow's House of Commons debate on the British disarmament memorandum is expected to be tho most important and interesting parliamentary event of the week. The Government has readily agreed to the request of the Opposition for an early opportunity to discuss the document. Tho debate will be opened by Sir John Simon, and Sir Stafford Cripps will be the chief Opposition speaker. Captain Eden will conclude the discussion. Mr Lloyd George, Sir Austen Chamberlain. and Mr Herbert Samuel are also expected to speak. As the Opposition has no desire to censure the Government for the part it has played in the recent disarmament negotiations, the debate will arise on a motion for adjournment of the House. The recent memorandum has, in fact, been favourably received in all parliamentary circles here, as well as by the Press. The debate will naturally reveal some criticism. The 1 Manchester Guardian.’ the leading Liberal journal, says that tho British proposals command wide support among the parties of the Left,' not because they are what those who believe in disarmament would accept as ideal, but because many members of Parliament feel that as matters stand to-day they offer the only hope of preventing a breakdown of tho Disarmament Conference. The ‘ Daily Telegraph,’ after analysing the French aide memoire and the German reply, is impressed by the opportunity of and the absolute need for the latest British effort. In a speech to the League of Nations Union Lord Cecil discussed the British memorandum and described its statement of general principles as “ admirable.” He said there were many very good things in the document, though he would have liked it to have gone further in several of its proposals. He was disappointed with the air proposals that if in two years’ time no adequate scheme for control of civil and the abolition of military aviation is evolved, all nations must be permitted military aviation, and he regretted the absence of reference to budgetary limitation. But a treaty on the lines of the memorandum would be a good deal better than nothing. He concluded: “ Our business now is quite simple. We have to do our utmost to support the Government in getting at any rate these terms, and at the same time to press them vigorously to increase their efficiency and effectiveness.”