FRENCH CLAIMS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 136, 24 May 1933, Page 6

FRENCH CLAIMS

DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE ONE OBSTACLE AFTER ANOTHER. TANKS AND MOBILE LAND GUNS. (Received 24, 11.10 a.m.) GENEVA, May 23. The Disarmament Conference overcomes one obstacle only to face another. M. Paul-Boncour, reading a statement believed to emanate from M. Daladier regarding Article 22, declared that France would never agree to a reduction in tanks and mobile land guns above a certain weight while her claims regarding security and standardisation of armies was unfulfilled. Destruction of the surplus above a certain weight would be tantamount to the abdication of the League, which needed all weapons to punish any aggressor. It is believed that Count Nadolny, in consequence of this development, is contemplating- tho possibility of Germany’s withdrawing her acquiescence to the British plan. Sir John Simon will attempt to reach an understanding with France. Tewfik Rushdi Bey asserted Turkey’s right to equip the Dardanelles and Bosphorus fortifications with heavy guns. A resolution to this effect was circulated but M. Paul-Boncour contended that it would be a dangerous precedent if the General Commission began revising treaties. DEADLOCK OVERCOME. DISCUSSIONS ARRANGED. (Received 24, 11.50 a.m.) GENEVA, May 23. The Standing Orders Committee overcame the deadlock by deciding that the question of the reduction of wai materials and the question of security be discussed on alternate days, beginning with war materials to-day. Mr Davis has asked that the forenoons be kept free to permit private negotiations to overcome obstacles. MR DAVIS’S SPEECH. ADVERSE PARIS COMMENT. (Received 24, 10.55 a.m.) PARIS, May 23. Although Government circles approve Mr Davis’s speech the majority of the newspaper comments are adverse. Mr Herriot’s organ, “L’Ere Nouvelle,” says- “French blood is more precious than war materials. France must remember that she has for a neighbour a nation with seventy millions organised and ready for war.” The “Figaro” says: “The French Ambassador at Rome takes orders from Signor Mussolini and the disarmament talks arc based on Herr Hitler’s orders.” WORLD ARMAMENTS. A GIGANTIC TOTAL. (Received 24, 10.30 a.m.) GENEVA, May 23. The Disarmament Conference budgetary committee reported that the world’s expenditure on armaments in 1930 Was £880,000,000.