LIMITING ARMAMENTE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3184, 1 April 1911, Page 7

LIMITING ARMAMENTE.

SPEECH BY THE [GERMAN CHANCELLOR. UNIVERSAL ARBITRATION DECLARED IMPRACTICABLE. "PEACEABLENESS DEPENDS ON STRENGTH.” 'UNITED PREBB ASSOCIATION-COPYRIGHT.! (Received March 31, 10.6 p.m.) BERLIN, March 31.

The Imperial Chancellor. Herr Von Bethmann Hollweg, speaking in the Reichstag, referring to the Social. Democratic proposal'that he should initiate a general limitation of armaments, argued that Germany had studied the question*- and was uliable to find a suitable formula. He was not aware that others had been successful. The time when European wars could be made by Cabinets was past. Wars could only arise where the antagonists had a rooted popular sentiment, which was very susceptible to an influence like the irresponsible agitations of the press. If an international effort created a counterpoise to such influences he would rejoice, but a definite programme of disarmament was another question, and was just as indefinite. Hazy proposals were* calculated to disturb instead of to promote peace. Any scheme for settling the strength of nations in accordance with a- sort of precedence list and arithmetically, according to area and influence, was bound to fail. Herr Hollweg continued: "Somebody may sav that a- claim to the rank of precedence is already fulfilled. England is convinced, and has repeatedly declared that nbt with standing all her wishes for the limitation of armaments and international arbitration, her fleet must, under all circumstances, be a match for or superior to any possible combination in the world. She is entitled to aim at that, but it is quite a different- matter to make such a claim into thejnasis of an agreement, which by peaceful assent is to be accepted by other Powers. What if counter claims be raised and the Powers be unsatisfied with tbe respective roles assigned them. Similarly an attempt to fix the strength of armies is Impracticable.” He added that- the greatest obstacle was the o.uestion of control. He instanced Napoleon’s attempt to limit Prussia’s army to fortytwo "thousand. SIR EDWARD GREY’S PROPOSAL. Referring to Sir Edward Grey’s suggestion, he said that the exchange of information regarding shipbuilding would prevent surprises. He remarked that Germany had been able to fall in with the idea all the sooner, inasmuch as her shipbuilding programme was always laid open, and she had therefore declared her readiness to come to an agreement with England on the matter, hoping thereby, that the expected calming of public opinion would follow. An unrestricted treaty, such as President Taft and Sir Edward Grey suggested, would simply put the seal on a state of things already existing de facto. He remarked: "Let the situation change, let antagonism touching vital interests arise, then T would'like to . see the arbitration treaty that would not burn like tinder.” He concluded by emphasising that Germany strategically had an exposed position and had need of constant readiness, remembering that peaceableness depends upon strength.