CRISIS AT GENEVA

Hokitika Guardian, 15 May 1933, Page 5

CRISIS AT GENEVA

OVER ARMAMENTS

GERMAN ISOLATION INCREASES.

(United Press Association—By Electric

Telegraph—Copyright)

GENEVA, May 12

“Next week we shall be confronted with the real problems of disarmament,” said -Ur Arthur Henderson (President of the Conference), addressing the Bureau after its adoption of the proposal for a debate, which, it is honed, will dissolve the deadlock, although there is little at present to justify that belief.

The Germans are relieved at the debate decision, because they felt that the Bureau’s vote would have isolated Germany. Lord Hailsham’s warning t c . Germany in the House of Lords is generally hailed with satisfaction. It lias forced the Germans to realise that British sympathy and goodwill, on which they have counted, has greatly cleininished, and that their isolation is daily more manifest. The Bureau of the Disarmament

Conference reviewed the efforts made in private conversation t 0 resolve the deadlock caused by a German proposal to remove from the Draft Disarmament convention the chapters dealing with the standardising of the Corn* tinental armies, In order to clarify the position, It was decided to hold a general debato on all of the disarmament problems, beginning on Monday afteniqon, in the general commission of the conference. It is hoped the German delegation will then be in a position to explain fully the reasons for the German amendments. It is expected Herr Nedolony will return to Berlin at the week-end in order to consult the Government.

GERMAN REICH IS SUMMONED

TO DEFINE ARMS ATTITUDE

BERLIN, May 12

The German Cabinet is summoning the Reichstag for May 17th, when Chancellor Hitler .will make a statement defining Germany’s attitude ■on the question of disarmament.. He will disavow any responsibility pan the part, of Germany if the Geneva Conference fails. Herr Hitler .also will reply to the recent speeches made in the British House of Lords to Germany. The Socialist members of the Reichstag will attend. The announcement has aroused intense interest in political circles, which realise that if the Geneva ContVr.enoe collapses, Germany may be confronted.with the making of a decision as to whether she will declare the Versailles military stipulations to be void “in view of other nations’ refusal to disarm.” ’•

Herr von Neuvath (Foreign Minister) bus explained the situation to President von Hindeuburg. It is believed that the German Government is anxious regarding its isolation,' which, however, is not realised by the public owing to scanty reports being published of Lord Hailsham’s recent speech in the Lords, which, however, the German newspapers violently condemn.

GERMANY’S SERIOUS POSITION

SIGNIFICANCE OF LORDS’ SPEECH

BERLIN, May 14

Lord Hailsliam’s and 31. Paul Boncour’s pronouncements have brought a general realisation of the seriousness of Germany’s position in the world, to which added weight has been given owing to fluctuations on the Stock Exchange. Official circles regard the British Lords’ speeches as significant, and as apparently intended to exert political pressure. Accordingly there is greaf interest in Herr Hitler’s statement of Wednesday next, which will be his first intervention in foreign affairs.

A communique says Chancellor Hitler intends, in addition to his references to disarmament, to discuss without any ambiguity Germany’s attitude t 0 world politics, and also to explain Germany’s desires as to disarmament in other countries. He will oppose the Geneva decision that Germany’s uniformed political bodies are to he regarded as part of the German Army while France does not contemplate limiting her war material. The communique adds, regarding M. Roneour’s references to being in possession of a dossier on German armaments: “Anything old therein is well known. Anything new is false.”

GENERAL FEELING IN FRANCE

PARIS, May 12.

All France is aware of the gravity of the position at Geneva. Lord Hailsliam’s and Lord Cecil’s recent speeches have made a deep impression. They have led M. Paul Boncour to inform the press that those speeches justified France’s attitude at Geneva, and that Britain is united with France in saying that if, owing to Germany’s obstinacy, the Geneva Conference fails secure a general convention for armaments reduction, the Versailles Treaty will be enforced.

CRITICAL WEEK IN EUROPE.

LONDON, 31ay 14,

There is every indication of another critical week in Europe. There lia s been a postponement of Monday’s meeting of the Disarmament Conference. This is regarded as the wisest course that indeed had become inevitable after

the re-call of Herr Nadolny from Berlin to Geneva, and of Dr. Rosenberg from London, preparatory to Herr Hitler’s speech before the Reichstag on Wednesday.