ARMS IMPASSE

Hokitika Guardian, 11 November 1933, Page 5

ARMS IMPASSE

BRITISH POLICY

AN INVITATION TO GERMANY.

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright) l

' LONDON,. November 9. Speaking at the Lord Mayer’s banquet, Mr Ramsay Ma'cDonaid made a most significant statement of ; ' the British Government's attitude to Germany on the disarmament impasse. The statement was preluded by a brilliant reception of famous men of all nations who ivere present./ The Lord Mayor (Sir Wilfred Collett), presided. Sir John Simon proposed a toast to-/ ; the foreign ambassadors. The Lord Mayor proposed the toast of ••’J“The Cabinet,” congratulating the K’ Prime Minister on the Government’s courageous achievements. .Mr MacDonald, in reply, 'referred to the Ministry’s sound economies. He added that- they had reduced their armaments to a point where no unnecessary pound was spent. Germany’s withdrawal from Geneva was deplor- , able. It was' almost repudiation of the world peace machinery.. Germany’s policy to remedy her grievances had , merely increased fears and suspicions. 1 Britain was 'anxious to maintain her policy of helping Germany out of a vexatious;- position. If it were allowed that Germany’s colossal mistake was a failure, than >\ve might understand that we ran’lit/tie risk in connection with disarmament. ■<•••■ Job’s patience seemed inadequate for the removal of theiobstacles to a Disarmament Convention.;: The British | Government was prepared to play its ' full part in creating the necessary confidence: Germany must be a signatory to any effective convention. “"What I need \ hinder her even now,” he 1 said, ‘‘ from:coming in and: placing her case' 1 before us?' She would ad-, dress a tribunal desirous of peace.” Our task is to maintain co-operation j between France, Italy and . ourselves, j aided by ' America, in order to do ( everything (to recall’Germany to the negotiations;' Her position is not good for herself or for Europe, and makes it' j almost impossible for us to be reasonable- and generous. It must not be left thus. ’ Mr MacDonald continued: ‘‘Herr , von Neurath, German Foreign Minister. has. recently indicated that his j Government would make proposals. I They would receive favourable con-| sideration. I wish that the Germans 1 cound understand their problem, not j to overcome hostility, but -to - produce I proofs exceeding words of goodwill, so that we may co-operate in removing the suspicions which prevent us doing our best.” Mr MacDonald’s reference to Ger'▼~many supports a report that is current in: German circles that Germany j early next week will be making con-! Crete proposals for a re-organisation j of the League of , Nations and also ! for->oll?hqration-. in the continuation: of the Disarmament -. Conference. It is j believed;; that the will Vo J tempered with much conciliation, j

DISARMAMENT POLICY CENSURE

BY BRITISH LABOUR PARTY

LONDON, November 9. . V The Labour. Party, in the Commons, is to move a disarmament oensure ] motion, which regrets the Govern-' ment’s policy does not reflect the country’s strong desire for a disarmament agreement, and asks the Govern- j ment to propose at the Disarmament Conference, the complete abandonment v of all air-bombing, the general abolition of all weapons forbidden to I Germany -by the Versailles Treaty, international control of civil aviation, immediate reduction of all nations’ armament manufacture and trade in armaments, international' inspection I of armaments in all countries, the creation of an international police force, the definition of aggression on the basii Disarmament Conference sub-comiuittee’s proposals, The Bureau of the Disarmament Con-

ference at Geneva set up a committee consisting of British, French, Italian, jl fepanish, Polish Norwegian delegates f • to examine the procedure and report thereon to a further meeting on Sat-. \ til-day. \, ’ 'j HUNGARY OPPOSES PROBATION

(Received his day at 10.30 a.m) ■ BUDAPEST, November 10. Count Bethlen at a meeting of the Diet, declared that Hungary could not accept the five years’ probationary period for armaments.