EQUALITY IN ARMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21292, 20 September 1932, Page 9

EQUALITY IN ARMS

GERMANY'S CLAIM

ATTITUDE OF BRITAIN

DEMAND ILL-TIMED

GRAVE DISADVANTAGE

CO-OPERATION NEEDED

33y Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright British "Wireless RUGBY. Sept.. 18 The views of the British Government on the question arising out of the exchange ol : Notes in,the matter of disarmament are published to-day. The statement says:—

" The British Government thinks it is triforf unate that a political controversy of this magnitude should arise at a moment when it id so necessary that attention and energy should not be diverted from the efforts so Urgently needed to restore the prosperity of the world. " Granted that the question of equality •tr status in the world has arisen before the Disarmament Conference has conic! uded its sittings there is a grave disadvantage in forcing it to the front at this stage. In view of Germany's economic difficulties the initiation of an acute controversy in the political field at this moment must be accounted unwise, and in view of the concessions granted to Germany by her creditors it must be accounted particularly untimely. " However, as Germany's claim threatens to impose an obstacle to the Finooth and harmonious working of the conference' the Government considers that it should offer some suggestions as to iow the claim might be dealt with. Correct Position Under the Treaty " First it is necessary to be clear as to 'what. Germany's claim involves and the actual treaty position. The British Government can give no countenance or encouragement to disregard of treaty obligations and desires to associate itself vrith the opinion that it could not be •maintained as the correct legal construction of the Treaty of Versailles and the connected correspond6nce that Germany is legally if ntitled'to the abrogation of Part V. of the treaty by any disarmament convention to be concluded, or by failure to conclude any convention ad all. " Still less is it possible to deduce that the .manner in which a general limitation of armaments was to be fulfilled was to be precisely.the same as the manner in which. Germany's armaments are limited by Part V. The correct position tinder the Treaty of Versailles is that Part V. is still binding and can only cease to be binding by agreement. "So much has been stated for the purpose of clearing the ground, but the British Government does not understand that the case put forward by Germany is a legalistic deduction from the language of the treaty. It is rather an appeal for an adjustment based on the fact that the limitation of Germany's armaments contained in the treaty was intended to be the precursor of general limitation by other Powers. The British Government does not deny the fact and does not seek to minimise the force of the contention. Voluntary Limitation the Object " So far as the British- Government is concerned very large reductions of armaments have been made since the treaty •was signed. Nevertheless, the Government is earnestly collaborating at Geneva in promoting measures of further disarmament. Tt, hopes there may result from Geneva, in spite of difficulties, a really ■valuable measure of disarmament in which each nation will bind itself to strict limitation, both in kinds and quantities of its .weapons of war. " Such a result can be attained only if due allowance is made both for the needs and for the feelings of all the 64 States concerned. The objects to be aimed at in the case of the more heavily armed Powers are, the largest possible reduction and in the case of the lightly armed States at any rate no material increaee. " It would indeed be a tragic paradox if the outcome of the firefc Disarmament Conference was to' increase armaments. The British Government, therefore, conceives the object of the conference to be to frame sf disarmament convention upon the principle that each State adopts for itself, in agreement with the, others, a limitation which is self-imposed and freely entered into as part of the mutual obligations of the signatories to one another. patient Discussion by all Urged " This conception of the purpose of the conference gives .the answer to the question of status raised in the communication from the German Government. Questions of status, as distinguished from quantitative questions,, involve considerations of national pride and dignity which deeply touch the h#arts of peoples and keep alive resentment which would otheiwise place to a more kindly feeling. " In the interests of general appeasement such a question should be disposed of bv friendly negotiation and agreed adjustment, not involving either disregard for treaty obligations or an increase ill the M*7n total of armed forces.

" This desirable consummation, however, cannot be attained by a peremptoiy challenge, or by withdrawal from the Geneva deliberations. It can be rea.ched only by patient discussion between the States concerned."

MIXED FEELINGS

NOTE'S EFFECT IN FRANCE

REBUKE APPLAUDED (Received September 19, 7.15 p.m.) LONDON", Sept. 19 De&patches from Paris state tl|at the British statement on Germany s armaments has been received with mixed feelings in' France in view of the possibility that it means tampering with the Treaty of Versailles in order to save the Disarmament Conference. However, Britain's apparent rebuke of Germany for raising this' thorny issue at the present juncture is applauded. The News Chronicle, in a leading Article, criticises the Note as an unsatisfactory use of Britain's opportunity to .clarify Enrope's • .problems. - It says the trouble is that it ignores facts.