DISARMAMENT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 20 May 1926, Page 9

DISARMAMENT.

THE BRITISH VIEWPOINT. BY CABLE —PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPY EIGHT. GENEVA, May 18. Viscount Cecil opened the proceedings with a clear exposition of the British view of disarmament. He said that Britain wa.s anxious lor a reduction. in view of her financial position and the unemployment which existed. He pointed out that Britain was in a special position compared with other countries. The British army did not depend on the. size of the armies of other countries, but besides garrisoning Britain her army had to discharge overseas requirements in India, Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Palestine. Ae regards the navy, a number of cruisers were required, owing to the British overseas possessions, while tlie air force depended on the size of that force in other countries. He concluded : ‘ ‘We must find a basis for such disarmament, and, with goodwill, we will attain that object.” GERMANY ALREADY DISARMED. GENEVA, May 19. Herr Bernstorff, following Viscount Cecil, said: “We are convinced that armaments always lead to war, and the world economically cannot support another conflict. Germany to-day is com. disarmed, and it is imperative that the surrounding nations disarm on the same basis.” Mr. Gibson, for the United States, expressed the fullest concurrence in the proposals, which might be agreed to for the general disarmajment committee and he proceeded to discuss what constitutes armaments. Viscount Cecil insisted that the investigation in regard to fixing a basis of reduction should be limited to the forces immediately available on the outbreak of war. He stressed the importance of any nation’s striking- force, because nations arm only to meet an aggressor’s inital blow. He declared that reduction of armaments was only possible in practice by limiting the investigation to visible units. M. Boncour joined issue with the view, arguing that the potential war strength, industrial and otherwise, of all possible adversaries, may he conksidered. Signor Demarinis created a sensation by saying: “While Italy is in agreement with disarmament, there are certain principles which my country cannot renounce.” M Brouckere. on behalf of Belgium, supported the French view. The discussion was adjourned.