DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 June 1934, Page 7

DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE

HAPPIER DEVELOPMENT FRANCE GIVES WAY [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] RUGBY, June 8. 'Phe deadlock at. Geneva has been resolved, and the acceptance by the genera! commission of a resolution reasserting the necessity for securing a general disarmament convention, and outlining the immediate programme of work, marks a definite advance which has caused keen satisfaction in official circles in London. As the result of prolonged consultations between the British, French and United States delegates, M. Barthou accepted a modification of his draft resolution, and in its final form which has now received the full approval of the Commission, it recognises the necessity fox - the return of Germany to the Conference, and brings within its purview, exchanges between the principal European powers. 'rhe restoration of complete AngloFrench accord is particularly welcomed here. A cordial reception is assured M. Barthou, who announced his intention of visiting London early in July.

The resolution submitted to the genera) commission by M. Barthou invites the League to seek by whatevexmeans it deems appropriate, and with a view to general acceptance of the Disarmament. Convention, a solution of outstanding problems without prejudice to private conversations on which the governments desire to enter in order to facilitate the return of Germany to the Conference.

The resolution proceeds: “Since the earlier work of the Conference has enabled certain regional security agreements to be concluded in Europe, during the past year, the General Commission decides to appoint a special committee to conduct such preliminary studies, as it may considexappropriate in order to facilitate the conclusion of further agreements of the same nature, which may be negotiated outside the Conference. It would be fox - the Commission to determine the relationship of any of these agreements to the General Convention. The Commission also decides to appoint a special committee to study the question of guarantees of execution and to resume work relating to supervision.

The Commission instructs the air committee to resume its work forthwith.

The Commission requests the special committee to resume work forthwith in the light of the statements made by the United States delegation on May 30, and to report as early as possible on the solutions it recommends. The resolution adds: These committees will work on parallel lines, co-ordinated by the Bureau Commission leaving it to the Bureau to take the necessary steps at the proper time to ensure tlxat when the President convenes the Commission, it will have before it, as far as possible, a complete draft of convention. Finally, the resolution requests the President to submit, to various governments the Russian proposal to declare the Conference a permanent institution under the title of the Peace Conference.

Submitting a resolution. M. Barthou paid warm tributes to the United Slates and British delegates, and referring to the recent heated exchange with Sir J. Simon, said that when any difference divided France and England “wo talk frankly and then roach an agreement.” Mr Eden thanked Mr Davis and M. Barthou, whose joint and willing collaboration had made it possible to reach an agreement. Mr Davis praised the line spirit and breadth of view in which the French and British had endeavoured to reconcile the difference, and he described the compromise resolution as a distinct contribution to peace in Europe, which changed the atmosphere from despair to real hope. The Commission will'meet again on Monday to set up the various committees, as commended in the resolution.

GERMAN ARMY STRENGTH. LONDON. June 8. The “Daily Mail's” Paris correspondent says: While the undertakers have been summoned to bury the Disarmament Conference, the French Minister of War, Marshal Petain, told the Finance Commission of the Chamber of Deputies that Germany had now rearmed to her pre-war strength. She can put 1,600,000 men in the field in one week, and 2.800.000 men in a

month. Besides restoring her Air Force, he stated. Germany has intensively trained 500,000 of her Storm Troops for months, as the nucleus of a field force of 2,800.000 men.