ARNIAMENTS TRUCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20976, 12 September 1931, Page 9

ARNIAMENTS TRUCE.

BRITAIN WELCOMES IDEA.

MORE DETAILS AWAITED.

FRENCH RECEPTION COLD. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received September 11, 8.15 p.m.) British "Wireless. RUGBY. Sept. 10. Signor Grandi's proposal at tho Assembly of the Leaguo of Nations, that from now until at least tho end of. the Disarmament Conference in February there should bo a "real and effective truce in armaments," has created much interest iri British circles, where its spirit commands general approval. In a comment to-day the Times says it regards tho suggestion of the Italian Foreign Minister as being one which tho world will want to hear developed in detail.

There has already been a substantial measure of naval disarmament. The strength of tho British Navy, for example, has been reduced by 38 per cent, •below that of 1914. and tho London Naval Treaty restricts building by tho three principal naval Powers in the category of heavy ships. What is now needed is a corresponding limitation of tho land and air forces of the military Powers. Now it is proposed that theso should be applied to them. Is it proposed, asks tho Times, that until tho end of tho conference there should be a total suspension of the manufacture of tanks, guns and military aircraft, and of the construction of fortifications, arsenals and strategic roads and railways ?

Valuable as it may prove to be, any judgment on the proposal must bo suspended until it has been given concrete interpretation. The Italian suggestion has been very coldly received in Paris.