FRENCH PREMIER

Hokitika Guardian, 17 October 1932, Page 5

FRENCH PREMIER

VISIT TO LONDON DISARMAMENT CONVERSATIONS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 14. M.‘ Herriot visited Downing Street, where conversations on tiie disarmament question were resumed. M. Herriot empimsised, wnen interviewed by the newspapers, that the present exchange of views was designed soleiy to leinove in the way of the Disarmament Lonierence.

A communique issued from Downing Street states: “Conversations took place between Mr MacDonald, M. Herrict and *ir John bimon On the subject of the British proposal for a meeting in which they would participate with Italy and Germany in order to overcome the difficulty which haj arisen at Geneva. The French and British Ministers agreed, in considering the meeting, that it should consist of the four Powers named, and that the best place for such a meeting would be Geneva. The British Government sought the concurrence of the two other Governments concerned in the piopcsal that this meeting would have an unofficial and preliminary character, and that its object would be to seek and propose a means by which the common work of the Disarmament Conference within the League of Nations might be effectively resumed.”

When the Italian and German Governments were consulted on the suggestion that the four-Power meeting should take place at Geneva, tlm Italian Government at once agree'd, but disappointment and surprise are felt at Germany’s unwillingness to accept this proposal. The actual place of meeting was of minor importance, and it was hoped that Germany’s present unwillingness to accept Geneva would be overcome. It is understood that the Ministers were well satisfied with the exchange of views, which revealed a mutual and very genuine desire to surmount the impediments existing in the way-of real and effective progress with the disarmament problem.

Before leaving for Paris, M. Herriot, in an interview, said that the conversations were carried on very pleasantly. "We discussed things with frankness and came to conclusions in perfect loyalty to each other.” he said. "I think [ can say all is well.”