REPLY TO GERMANY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 243, 13 September 1932, Page 7

REPLY TO GERMANY

FRANCE’S ATTITUDE

EXAMINATION OF PROBLEM-

LEGAL RESERVATION.

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received September 13, 10.45 a.m. PARIS, Sept. 12.

Franco’s reply to Germany challenges the latter’s suggestion of tho inadequacy of tho Disarmament Conferonco and adds: “Franco has- done everything possiblo to promote tho Conference’s work, agreeing to delay tho examination of tho French security thesis until Germany’s claim is considered. Franco sliowed her willingness to reduce her armaments when tho Chamber of Deputies lowered the military voto by 1,600,000 francs. Sho also proposed tho prohibition of aerial bombardment. Tho League Assembly recognised that tho world should tend not towards individual rearmament, but general controlled disarmament. “Franco would assist tho Conference in this spirit, basing her doctrine on articlo eight of the Covenant. If Germany declared herself entitled to modify her own armaments statute, she would contravene tho treaty obligation and prevent general disarmament, It was desired to attain a convention relieving the people of their burdens and conferring a real guarantee of peace. France’s efforts should permit tno establishment of the statute of Germany in the general peace statute, protected by tho arbitration control. Franco was not legally justified in supporting Germany’s contention that tho Disarmament Convention would supersede the treaty, but within this logal reservation Franco would co-operato in an examination of the problem.”

AMERICAN HOSTILITY,

LONDON, Sept. 12

The Manchester Guardian’s correspondent at Paris says that a speech by the United States Ambassador, Mr W. E. Edge, is interpreted as- an expression of American hostility to the German rearmament plan. He stated that Senator Read hau informed the Premier, M. Ilerriot, that while America was determined to press for disarmament on the basis of tho Hoover plan it was opposed to German rearmament.

WHAT TREATY INFRACTIONS COST.

(Times Cable.) BERLIN, Sept. 12. Tho Vossich Zoitung, referring to the arguments that Germany should ignoro Franco’s unfavourable answer and face tho Allies with tho facts, describes tho advocates of this proceduro as “naive minds which, despite tho invasion of Belgium and tho sinking of the Lusitania, havo not yet learned what Treaty infractions cost. Such a policy would result in tho stillness of the* graveyard reigning over our claims to equality.”