DISARMING GERMANY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19509, 13 December 1926, Page 11

DISARMING GERMANY.

TBEATY NOT FULFILLED THE ALLIES DISSATISFIES. NEW WORKS CONSTRUCTED. WAR MATERIAL TRAFFIC. PROBLEM FOR THE LEAGUE. By Telsgrapli—Press Association—Copyright (Received 5.5 p.m.) A. and £<. Z. LONDON. Dec. 11 A message trom Paris says the problem of the disarmament of Germany was discussed tor two hours by the Ambassadors" Conference. This conference will report to the Foreign Ministers of the Allies assembled at Geneva. It is understood that the military experts of the Allies unanimously agreed that Germany had not completed disarmament as demanded by the Allies. The explanation of General Conpawels, on behalf of Germany, regarding the eastern fortifications and the traffic in war material was not regarded au satisfactory. The conference reached a deadlock' over the question of the German Eastern fortifications. The Control Commission's experts, who visited Konigsberg, reported that new works of an ultra-modern type had been constructed over a perimeter of many miles. Difficulties to be Overcome. The Germans argue that nothing has been done in contravention of the Treaty of Versailles. The Allies reply that the treaty allows the maintenance of works in the condition they were in during 1919, but does not sanction new and formidable works.

The Allies argue that if they made a concession to Germany in connection with traffic in war material they must treat other ex-enemy countries in the same way. Messages from Geneva say it is stated on the highest authority that the failure of the Ambassadors to agree will not jeopardise an agreement at Geneva, although admittedly there- are difficulties still to be overcome.

It is suggested that the settlement should include a declaration that the problem of the control of the Rhineland cannot be solved on the basis of the Versailles Treaty, and therefore it should be referred to the signatories of the Locarno Pact. Control of Rhineland. This will mean that the problem will be discussed later, either at a special meeting of the five signatories to the Locarno Pact or through diplomatic channels. Alternatively it is pointed out that recourse to the Hague would be a logical procedure to straighten out the FrancoGerman difficulties.

Herr Sfresemann, Germany's Foreign Minister, persists in opposing the proposal of M. Briand, France's Foreign Minister, for the control of the Rhineland by a joint committee, composed of [he signatories to the Locarno Pact, a committee which would be outside fcha jurisdiction of the League. The Germans also strongly oppose the request that they should legislate forbidding the export of half-finished products that can be turned into war material abroad. Herr Stresemann argues that this might cripple the export trade in important industries, such as optical instruments.