DISARMAMENT

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 13 September 1928, Page 5

DISARMAMENT

ANGLO=FRENCH AGREEMENT __ ! DECIDED STEP FORWARD. j LORD PUSHES DUN’S OPINION (British Official Wireless.) Received 11.45 a.m. RUGBY, Sept. 12. Speaking before the Disarmament Committee of the League of Nations this antornoon, Lord Cushendun, the British representative, referred to the Angfo-French naval compromise. Hb declared that he could not really understand why it had created snuih a'&tir in the world, as it was a decided, step forward. ‘‘We have been accused.” continued Lord Cinshcnclun, “of having signed a secret treaty, of having sinister motives, but how can that be? All that was done was to help the preparatory committee. We are now ready to isulimit' to our colleagues the draft, which rnmv help them in their work.” GERMANY'S ACHIEVEMENT. HERiR, MUELLER'S REPLY TO M. BRIAND. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) (Australian Pres* Association.) GENEVA, Sept. 12. Herr Mueller, in a .statement to journalists, said Germany agreed with M. Briand that they should have confidence in the League of Nations, hut sxicfh confidence could not ibe ordered; it must be esbafe-lislhed by deeds. For that reason Germany criticised the disarmament delays. Germany’s disarmament was a remarkable achievement, although there were some small things still to fee clone. It was true that 'Germany could utilise her industries for war purposes, hut she couilid no):- fight without arms. Replying to M. Briand’s specific criticisms, Herr Mueller pointed out that Germany bad reconstructed her mercantile marine to improve her economic position and enable her to meet the .reparations payments. Therefore he failed to understand M. Briand_ Germany, since the war, had reduced 40,000 officers to 4000. Germany would make a fuller statement at the Assembly's discussion of the disairmament report. He maintained that Germany Was entitled to ask for •the evacuation of the Rbineilancl after the signing of the Kellogg Pact and the prevailing atmosphere o<f peace.