GERMAN ARMS EQUALITY

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 18 November 1932, Page 9

GERMAN ARMS EQUALITY

Capital Ship Limitation BRITAIN OFFERS TO AGREE Abolition Of Submarines < RETENTION OF LIGHT TANKS CONFERENCE TURNING POINT. i -Uniled Press Association —Bi Elec trio Tolegrnpi Copyright.) Received 2.40 p.m. to-day. LONDON, Nov L. .Simultaneously with ja ispeech on disarmament delivered by Sir John Simon. British Secretary at Geneva, the facts were issued in London m a White Paper. Dealincr with Germany s equality claim he said it was necessary to insist that the main purpose ot disarmament was to ensure lasting peace The United Kingdom Government had throughout been ready and anxious to join with the other Governments represented at Geneva,, including Germany, in framing a disarmament convention which would, fairly meet tins claim. Any hesitation which might i arise m any quarter would not proceed from a desire to inflict upon Germany permanent inferiority of status, ix would spring from anxiety as to the use which might be made of the new situation, and from fears resulting from dangers which might threaten the tranqxnlity of Europe. The British Government, therefore suggested that side by side with meeting Germany s claim to equality all European States should join in a solemn affirmation that they would not m any circumstances attempt to resolve any pieseim or future differences between them by resort to force. The world was entitled to this specific assurance, and Britain contended that Germany s claims should be met as follows: The limitation on Germany s ainlament should be contained m the same disarmament convention as that tie finin' 1- the limitation of. armaments o others, and these limitations should last for the same period and bo .s 'i icct to the same methods of lcusion as those others. Germany had doI ciared that she had no intention of rearmin'*, but desired a principle should he acknowledged that the kinds of arms permitted other countries Should not be prohibited to herself if duality of status was to be conceded This principle had to be- acknowledged and the British Government had declared its willingness to see it embodied in the convention. He emphasised the necessity foi considerin'* geographical conditions, especially those of a nation with world-wide overseas responsibilities. Britain am seekin" an agreement to limit the size of capital ships, under which German equality would be considered. l, nestr 'ration showed that a limit of 10.00€ tons would fail to find acceptance. The plan required that German construction should not increase the category tonnage to which bei 11 aA . was restricted.' Britain’s iciea was that TCOfbton cruisers and Cm guns amiroximated the German limit. . P gir John reiterated Britain s desire for the abolition of submarines, but insisted that Britain’s retention oi liXt tanks was an essential compensation for her small enlisted aimy. U versal prohibition of tanks would voive an increase of Britain’s manpower Consequently as a measure of disarmament it would defeat its own (Britain was prepared to accept the Hoover proposals regarding miMai) effectives in principle as a basis foi discussion at Geneva. • G\t the conclusion of lus speech on , John raised his hands in a gesture towards the president of the confer ence, Mr. A. Henderson and said believe we have reached the tmn-iug-poiot of the conference.” Mr. Henderson said that as the Powers had shown readiness to concede equality to Germany in principle he hoped that soon she would rejoin the conference.