BRITAIN’S REPLY

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1933, Page 5

BRITAIN’S REPLY

TO U.SrfA. PREMIER

CONFERENCE RESULTS AWAITED.

(British Offic'nl Wireless.)

RUGBY, May 23

Sir Ronald Linn-say ciolivc. ed the following reply to President Roosevelt’s message: “The Government of tiie United Kingdom read witli much appreciation the President’s message. _p._ey felt that P; evident Roosevelt’s action is ol the highest importance, and is well calculated to further the aim which His Majesty’s Government has striven to secure, namely, the success of the- two World Conferences.

They entirely share the President’s view that on the successful outcome of these eon-feiences, hang the future happiness and prosperity of the world. They are all the more encouraged, because the President places as the first step the adoption of Mr MacDonald’s draft disarmament convention.

They see in this an earnest of the intention of the United States Government to collaborate at Geneva in pressing the general adoption of this draft convention as a whole. They believe that if this can be attained, the result will be 'a restoration of confidence betweon the nations of the world, and thus the - .best preparation will be mado fdr "the vital decisions winch the: monetary; Economic Conference will be called upon t-e take,”

Replies from the Governments of the British Dominions have also been delivered to the President.

FRANCE OFFERS AN OBSTACLE

COMMITTEE OVERCOME DEAD* LOCK.

GENEVA, May 24

The Disarmament Conference overcomes one obstacle only to face another.

M. Boncour, reading a statement, believed to emanate from Premier 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 were unfulfilled. The destruction of the surplus above ia certain weight would be tantamount to the abdication of tbo League, which needed all the weapons to. punish any aggressor. It is believed that Herr Nadolny in consequence of this development, is contemplating the possibility of Germany’s withdrawing acquiescence to the British plan. -Sir J. Simon’ will attempt to reach an understanding .with France.

The Standing Orders Committee overcame tin 1 deadlock, by deciding that the question of a reduction of war Materials, and the question' of security, be discussed on alternate days, beginning with war materials today.

Mr Davis has asked that the forenoons be kept free, to permit private negotiations to overcome the obstacles.

FRANCE CRITICISES AMERICA

PARIS, May 23

Although Government circles appaovu Mr Davis’ speech the majority of newspaper comments are adverse,

M. Herriot organ “Le’Era Nouvelle,” says': French blood is more precious than war materials. France must remember she has for a neighbour a nation with seventy millions organised ready for war.

“Le Figaro” says: The French Ambassador at Rome takes his orders from Mussolini, and the- disarmament talks are based on Hitler’s orders.

TURKEY DEMANDS RIGHTS,

GENEVA, May 23.

At the Conference Tewfik Rushdi Bey asserted Turkey’s right to equip the Dardanelles'and Bosphorus .fortifications with heavy guns. A resolution to this effect was circulated, hut M. Roncour contended that it would he a dangerous precedent if the General Commission began revising treates.

PACT OPPOSED BY POLAND. WARSAW, May 23

Poland is opposed to the four Power Pect, as substituting the supremacy of certain Powers, for the principle of equality of nations.