ARMS CRUX

Grey River Argus, 23 September 1932, Page 5

ARMS CRUX

GENEVA HOPES Of Reconciling Germany (Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn). GENEVA, September 22. M. Herriot, Prime Minister of France came here expecting that the Disarmament conference would immediately discuss the matter of Germany’s absence. As this question was postponed for some days, he has returned to Paris without attending Wednesday’s proceedings. Mr Arthur Henderson (Chairman of the Conference) has contributed an article to a local newspaper strongly appealing to the Powers to take immediate steps to conciliate Germany by pledging themselves to carry out disarmament obligations of the Peace Treaty. LONDON, September 22. The “Daily Telegraph” says: — “British circles are fairly optimistic that conversations during the League of Nations assembly next week, between Sir J. Simon and Herr Newrath (German Foreign Minister) will have a. good effect, and that, as a result thereof, German opinion will appreciate the material advantages of following the policy suggested in the British Note for agreed gradual reduction of the disparity between Germany’s and the other armaments by a succession of disarmament conventions. ’ * “The Times” in an editorial, claims that what is now needed, and what British can be trusted to work for unremittingly, is a united declaration, especially bv the former Allied an 1 Associated Powers, that disarmament conventions will, in law and the fact, supersede Part v Fiv e of the ■Versailles' Treaty. This will both preserve the principle of limitation and, at *he same time, give Germany no valid reason for staying away from _th? further proceedings. MR LLOYD GEORGE’S ALLEGATION. LONDON, September 21. “The National Government’s disarmament policy brought Europe to the verge of war,” declared Mr Lloyd George, at a Cardiganshire by-election meeting. “They contrived to get Italy, Germany and Russia against us. Britain’s only ally was France, the greatest military on the Continent. ’ ’ MR HENDERSON’S APPEAL. RUGBY, September 21. Mr Henderson opened the meeting of the Bureau at Geneva to-day. The German delegates were absent, but the other great Powers were represented. On the suggestion of the Chairman, the Bureau postponed any discussion on the subject of Germany’s absence, till the German Government had the opportunity of answering Mr Henderson’s letter of September 18, in which he invited the German ■ Government to reconsider its decision to abstain from the Disarmament Conference, till the equality claim had been considered. Mr Henderson, proceeding, declared that the Disarmament Conference had reached its most crucial stage, and ho urged the delegates to start on a new road. Everything that had happened since the adjournment, had strengthened their case. Fateful decisions must be taken.