GERMAN ARMY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11835, 17 January 1933, Page 5

GERMAN ARMY

TALK OF CONSCRIPTION AGAIN

RIGHT TO CARRY ARMS WANTED

(U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright.!

BERLIN, January 15

Conscription is. the most important aim Germany has to attain, General von Schleicher told a. vast gathering in Berlin, commiriem orating the 62pd anniversary of the. Reich. "The change of times demands changed methods.’ he said. I nm contemplating the establishment of a militia, with the .right to carry arms, which, symbolises our freedom. Germany’s enemies know that disarmament will strike ns fatally. We consent io no Disarmament Conference denying us sovereignty.

The Froiitkriegerbund, a Nationalist association of ex- soldiers with its headquarters in Munich, announced last month that it had taken the first step for the initiation of a national referendum for l&d intfoditefion of conscription in Germany. Instead °f the AOOfF signatures necessary to support the preliminary application the association had secured 1 the authentic signatures of 20,000 German citizens which iiad been forwarded to the Ministry of the Interior. Should the Government, after examining the proposal, decide to give facilities,- a draft bill will be submitted to a national canvass, and if its supporters can secure the votes of one-tenth of the electorate" 'the till must then he presented to thd Reichstag, and if rejected submitted-Io a referendum of the. people for final decision.