More Doubters of Russian Call for Armament Cut

Grey River Argus, 18 October 1948, Page 5

More Doubters of Russian Call for Armament Cut

(Rec. 9.5) LONDON, Oct. 16 France has described the Soviet call for a one-tnird reduction of armaments Dy the Big Five as being "purely theoretical,” and France has demanded inventories of the armed forces of each country, with the publication of tneir armaments, and also the establishment of an efficient and effective control of these. This is stated by Reuter’s correspondent at Paris, who says:—M. Couve De Murville told the United Nations Disarmament Sub-Committee that France believed that the time between the present U.N. Assembly meeting and the next one should, be devoted to the study of disarmament. A report should then be made to the Security Council. M. Henri Rolin (Belgium) said that reduction of armaments alone would not secure world security and international confidence. Countries would become fearful that the armies of other nations were excessive while their own armies were not sufficient. M. Tsiang (China) declared that he could not support the Soviet plan for a one-third disarmament. The Soviet plan said nothing about the other two-thirds. China was not ready to sign a blank cheque on a matter of that kind. Mr Tsiang said that as soon as their own present struggle with the Communists was over, China would reduce her arms by four-fifths. The committee adjourned.