ARMS POLICY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21497, 22 May 1933, Page 9

ARMS POLICY

DEADLOCK ENDED GERMAN DECISION BEITTPH CONTENTION ACCEPTANCE AT GENEVA CHANGE IN ATTITUDE By Telccraph—Presn Association-Copyright (Received May 21. fi.35 p . m .) GENEVA, May 2 C The anxiously awaited declaration by Iho chief German delegate to the Disnrmamenl Conference at Geneva, Herr Nadolny. was made yesterday afternoon at a meeting of the General Commission. Herr Nadolny stated: " Germany accepts the British proposals, not only as we have, up to now, as a basis of discussion, but as a basis for n future disarmament conventionitself." The German delegate's speech had been preceded by a statement by Mr. Arthur Henderson, president of the conference, who laid before tho meeting President Boosevelt's peace message / end made an earnest appeal for withdrawal of the German amendments which had obstructed the progress of t.'ic conference. Mr. Henderson referred to Herr Hitler's speech and the points of similarity between \i and President Roosevelt's pronouncement, and appealed to all tho delegations to make an effort to reach a mutual understanding and make mutual concessions. New Basis lor Understanding Herr Nadolny said that Herr Hitler's speech had clearly expressed the will of /Germany to arrive at an understanding, and her sincere desire to collaborate in the establishment of a durable peace. The German yjcople, however, would continue their demand that the conference should guarantee the disarmament of strongly-armed States and for a recognition of Germany's right to equality. "I believe the British plan constitutes -&ij basis on which a solution of the different problems can be found," paid Herr Nadolny. '"That is why I declare in the name of my Government that we accept the plan." Herr Nadolny added that the modi•if cations which would be proposed would conform to Germany's new attitude and expressed the belief that "this declaration will constitute a new basis for the spirit .of moderation and understanding "in which we are collaborating toward the realisation of a convention. I hope that other States will similarly make their own interests come within the tcope of the British plan." Previous Obstacles Removed Captain Anthony Eden (Britain), ®ftcr heartily endorsing President Boosevelt's declaration, recalled that the latter had stated that acceptance ■of the draft convention was only the first step. It had always been the British view that disarmament should ho by stages, and the object of putting forward the draft convention was to have a basis for real disarmament.

Captain Eden said ho was gratified liy the approval of tho British plan pivtfn /by Herr Nadolny. Acceptance by all tlie delegations would make a great contribution to the confidence of the world.

M. Massigli (France) said that after Herr Hitler's speech ho interpreted 'Herr Nadolny's remarks as indicating "that previous obstacles had been removed. It only remained now for the conference to get down to the work pf precision.

The meeting was then adjourned

America and War Eventuality

To-day's sitting was occupied with Speeches by the Finnish, Swiss and other delegates, welcoming Mr. Koosejelt's message.

M. Motta, Swiss Foreign Minister,' put a question which is on everybody's lips, namely, what is America prepared to do iy the event of war The conference awaits tho united States /delegate, Mr. Norman Davis, who in' turn awaits the presence of/M. Boneour (France), and Sir John Simon (Britain). M. Motta's question may be answered on Monday. HOPEFUL OUTLOOK TRADE AND EMPLOYMENT "WORST OF SLUMP OVER" LONDON, May 10 The Daily Mail states that notwithstanding the state of nnscttlement in connection with tho European crisis, the latest trade reports are distinctly hopeful. ]fc even declares that the worst of the slump has passed, provided that peace can bo preserved as it should be now that Germany has accepted the British disarmament plan. Tho paper refers to the drop in the British unemployment figures, and states that German unemployment is .also clown by 712.000. while America shows widespread recovery, all indicating greater grounds for hope.