DISARMAMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21552, 25 July 1933, Page 8

DISARMAMENT

It was remarked by the Times when the Disarmament Conference adjourned that only in a politically and economically tranquillised Europe could the regulation of national armaments by common direction through the League become a matter of practical politics. The negative result of Mr. Henderson's mission to Continental capitals seems to prove the accuracy of this gloomy forecast. In spite of the signing of the Four Power Pact, which, it was hoped, would help to reconcile political differences among the dominant nations and create an atmosphere more conducive to agreement, the British objective is as remote as ever. Indeed, the hope of gaining it seems to have receded. While the question of parity between France and Italy still presents a problem, the chief obstacle lies in the rivalries of France and Germany. And it would not have been surprising, even though France were much less concerned for her safety and much more eager to subscribe to the principle of peace, if she had found it impossible under present circumstances to make any advance in co-operation with Britain. It is obvious that whatever Hp service Herr Hitler may have paid tq the general ideal, the whole trend of his dictatorship is in the direction of restoring the military strength of Germany. The Nazi conspiracy to drag Austria into confederation has the obvious purpose of strengthening Germany's hand. Notwithstanding the terms of the Four Power Pact, France is not likely to consent the destruction of her heavy armaments and the drastic reduction of her effectives so long as the Nazi policy is founded on might. In a word. France does not trust Germany* She believes that Germany is secretly arming against a day of vengeance and is not surprised that Herr Hitler should reject the plan of a trial period for the system of control and inspection. Thus the dream of Geneva is turning into a nightmare. The long months of preparation have resulted in nothing more than the drafting of a convention and an international debate. The Morning Post, in connection with the Economic Conference, speaks of the world having been turned into a debating society. There seems to be a grave risk of the. Disarmament Conference being little more.