GERMANY’S SECRET ARMS

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 September 1932, Page 5

GERMANY’S SECRET ARMS

LARGE ORDERS TO ABROAD A FRENCH ALLEGATION [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.] LONDON, September 19. The “News-Chronicle’s” Paris correspondent says that the Dossier showing Germany’s armaments, allegedly establishes beyond doubt the fact that Germany has been arming herself feverishly for several years, and that factories in Holland, Sweden, Denmark. Italy and in Russia, have secretly been manufacturing for her, guns, rifles, ammunition and aeroplanes. GERMAN POLICY UNCHANGED. (Received September 20, 11 a.m.) BERLIN, September 19. The official spokesman of the Foreign Office stated that Britain’s note had not changed either Germany’s attitude towards disarmament, or her decision not to participate in the Geneva Bureau deliberations.

The position would be aggravated, he added, if France pressed tho League to inquire into Germany’s secret armaments, which he declared to be a resurrection of the old mare’s nest, raised by M. Tardieu. He. also denied that Germany was secretly manufacturing arms in Danish and Scandinavian factories. THE BRITISH NOTE LONDON PRESS COMMENT LONDON, September 19. The newspapers, generally approve of the Government’s Note to Germany, “The Times” says: “The present moment is one that has been extremely ill-chosen for the raising of a political controversy of such magnitude. The principle off tile limitation of armaments is, in theory, accepted by all, and it seems desirable in the highest degree, that the statesmen meeting at Geneva should come to an early decision as to whether they are prepared to abrogate those Clauses of Part Five of the Versailles Treaty which are inconsistent with disarmament. A reasonable decision on this point ■would either bring the representatives of Ger*, many to Geneva or furnish the strongest evidence that what the present German Government really desires is liberty to re-arm. The “News-Chronicle” in a leading article, criticises the British note as being an unsatisfactory. use of Britain’s opportunity to clarify Europe’s problems. It says: “The trouble is that it ignores facts.”

RUGBY, September 19

Commenting on the British memorandum, the “Daily Telegraph” says: This simple answer’ to Germany is pervaded by the idea that in the next phase of the Conference, results may be attained fax’ in advance of the present very disappointing harvest, and the Government will work to achieve them. Britain’s very helpful proposal hould form the basis of an understand, ing, assuring the continuance of the Conference, and renewing the hopes wherewith the enterprise was launched. The “Daily Mail” says: The German Government should recognise the question of status “should be disposed of by free negotiations and agreed adjustment, not involving either disregard of treaty obligations, oi’ increase in the sum total of armed forces.” . . T The “News-Chronicle” says: In order that the British appeal should be made effective, it is essential that .some guarantee be given that the Powers, and France in particular, now mean business, and if Germany returns to Geneva, she may be assured that some measure of disarmament vyill follow. The “Manchester Guardian” says: The British memorandum should contribute to.meet the difficulty created by the German demand. It means although the disarmament clauses of the treaty remain in theory, they will in effect be superseded by the convention, under which Geimany freely accepts certain limitations, while as proof of sincerity, the armed Powers will impose on themselves the largest possible reduction, and strict limitation. Whether this policy will now be a sufficient level’ to remove the rapidly accumulating obstacle will depend both on its spirit and on its practical application to the various arms. The “Daily Herald” says: The upshot should be a request to the Germans to re-join the bureau for the immediate purpose of discussing frankly and without prejudice, the whole question of equal status of the ex sailles restrictions, and then’ relation to the future work of the conference..

FRENCH RECEPTION. PARIS, September 19. The British Government’s statement on the German claim to equality in armaments, has bee A received with mixed feelings in France, in view ot the possibility that it means tampexiug with the Versailles Treaty in ordex to save the Disarmament Conference, but the apparent rebuke to Germany for raising this thorny issue at the present juncture is applauded. Gustav Pertinax, in the “L’Echo de Paris” says; The British statement is one of the strongest pieces ot diplomatic writing in recent years. “Le Matin” urges M. Herriot to open before the World' Court at The Hague, or the League, the dossier regarding Germany’s secret army, and thus assist in fixing an adjustment whereof Britain speaks. “Le Figaro” remarks: It is our fortune that Britain likes to settle intexnational affairs in the Salon, and not in the ring. -

U.S.A’s. APPROVAL. (Received September 20, 10.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, September 19. Although the State Department is officially making no comment-, Britain’s Note, relating to the German armament claim, lias unquestionably created a favourable impression in official circles. CHAIRMAN’S APPEAL. [OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] RUGBY, September l£b A Geneva report states that in answer to: the letter of the German Government, stating Germany would

not be represented at the Disarmament Conference, Mr A. Henderson has written expressing regret. He says he is convinced that {the results of the Conference will be 'important, and he asks the German Government to reconsider the decision, as the prolonged absence of Germany might serious affect the cause of general disarmament. 7 MR L. GEORGE’S ATTITUDE, i ' BERLIN, September 19. Mr D. Lloyd George, has an articld in the “Boersen Courier,” in which he declares that he is one of the surviving statesmen responsible for the Treaty of Versailles, and as. sucli he supports the German claim to obtain equality in armaments. He asserts - that the victorious nations have shamelessly broken faith regarding disarmament.