STRAIGHT TALK

Northern Advocate, 21 September 1933, Page 5

STRAIGHT TALK

DISARMAMENT CRUX “WHAT DOES FRANCE WANT?" ROOSEVELT MESSAGE

TOO MUCH TIME WASTED

(United Press Association—By Electrtt Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Received .9 a.m.) LONDON, September 20.

The fact that an emergency meeting of the British Cabinet is to be held to-day is sufficient indication of the urgency of the disarmament discussions.

It is understood that the conversations in Paris centred mainly on the French plan for regular compulsory supervision of national armaments at six monthly intervals, after a trial period of six years, after which , the British Government would agree to disarmament measures if the agreement had been observed in the meanwhile.

The Paris correspondent of the i British United Press states that the i United States envoy, Mr. Norman j Davis, delivered a verbal message from President Roosevelt to the French Prime Minister, M. Daladier, as follows; — “Enough of killing time. What does France want?” The diplomatic correspondent of the “Daily Express” suggests that France is prepared to withdraw from the Disarmament Conference if her demands are ,not accepted. Britain is in a predicament, therefore, because if she agrees to . France’s proposal, then angry Germany is likely to break up the conference. The object of France in proposing an armament “standstill” with supervision is to provide means of really testing Germany’s disarmament.

MODIFICATION EFFORTS ,

PROSPECTS IMPROVED

SATISFACTORY CONVERSATIONS

(British Official Wireless.) (Received 1 p.m.) . RUGBY, September 19

The conversations between British and French Ministers on disarmament yesterday are declared-on both sides to have been satisfactory, and to have improved the prospects of the Disarmament Conference. ?

The French point, of view was expressed in greater detail tha’n hitherto, and the newspapers state that the impression of the British delegation was that considerable . progress had been made toward approximating the, respective policies of the two countries. ,

The chairman of the conference, Mr. Arthur Henderson, had an hour’s conversation with the French Foreign Minister, M. Paul-Boncbur, this evening, and left forthwith for Geneva. Prior to departing, Mr. Henderson emphasised the difficulties of disarmament, and explained that the French secret dosser on German disarmament could not be presented, beoaused it was a matter for the Leaguc. ,

The United .States envoy to Paris, Mr. Norman Davis, is also meeting M. Paul-Boneour to-day. The British Undcr-Scerotary for Foreign Affairs, Captain R. A. Eden, reached London this afternoon by air from Paris and reported to the Prime Minister, Mr. MacDonald, so that today’s special meeting of the Cabinetwill be fully informed on the substance of the Paris conversations.

The Foreign Secretary, Sir John Simon, this evening left Balmoral, where he has been in attendance on the King, and will reach London in time for to-morrow’s meeting of the Cabinet. It is quite possible that the Anglo-French talks will be resumed in a few days.

BRITISH SERVICES INSPECTIONS OPPOSED CONFERENCE IMPERILLED (Received 9 a.m.) LONDON, September 20. The “Daily Herald” says the British services strongly oppose the idea of an inspection of arsenals and dockyards, and unless their objections are over-ruled by the Cabinet the fate of the Disarmament Conference seems to be sealed. AMERICA’S NAVY. INTENTION TO PROCEED, UP TO TREATY LIMITS. (Received 10.00 a.m.) LONDON, September 2R. According to a Washington message, President Roosevelt announced today that-he intends to proceed without restriction upon the 208 million dollar programme to build the United States Navy up to the treaty limits. Reports have been current from abroad that suggestions have been made to the United States Ambassador and to Mr Norman Davis in London that there should be some abandonment or curtailment of the programme. It is assorted at the White House that no a such suggestion has actually been received by the President himself. Mr Roosevelt stated'that the contracts had been lot, and under no circumstances was there any intention of calling them back or altering the plana,