BRITAIN'S PROPOSALS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21716, 3 February 1934, Page 11

BRITAIN'S PROPOSALS

COMMENT IN THE PRESS UNANIMOUS WELCOME IMPETUS TO DISARMAMENT By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright RUGBY, Feb. 1 The British memorandum on disarmament is unanimously welcomed by the British press as an attempt to reconcile security with equality of disarmament. The Times links the Italian memorandum with that of the British Government. It says the two statements should give a strong impetus to the disarmament discussions and lead to useful modifications of the British draft convention, which still" holds the field as the basis for any final agreement. The British memorandum makes a large contribution to international understanding upon tho most difficult and most important problem of this epoch, the Times adds. The Daily Telegraph emphasises the transparent honesty of Britain's latest and last effort for disarmament. It says tho memorandum represents an honest attempt at bridge building. Tho British scheme obviously is expressly designed to enable France and Germany to meet each other halfway. Tho Daily Mail says tho British memorandum represents a most praiseworthy effort to attain positive results. It cannot any longer bo held that the British Government has not given a clear lead. If it succeeds it will lay the foundations of a new international order. Making Best of Bad Business Tho Morning Post says the memorandum is a valiant effort to reconcile conflicting views. It is a very bold proposition which calls upon Britain and other countries to accept many risks, but it may be worth tho price if it can buy for 10 years assurances of peace, and escape from a costly race in armaments. The News Chronicle regrets that tho proposals for material disarmament were not even bolder, but says it earnestly thinks both France and Germany will accept it as a working memorandum. The British Government ha 3 endeavoured to make the best of a bad business. The Daily Herald says that given sapity, given commonsense and given true appreciation both of effects and consequences, here is a chance, not only of securing a genuine, if modest reduction of armaments, but of securing Germany's return to Geneva, which rightly is laid down as an essential condition of any agreement. It is a chance and it may well be the last one.

Italian Accord With Britain Some of the British newspapers are inclined to regret that the immediate measure of disarmament proposed is not more drastic. This particular criticism was answered in the document itself, which pointed out that the proposals did not represent the British ideal, but were intended io form a practical basis for an agreement in the light of the views expressed by other Governments. The Italian proposals agree with those of tho British Government in at least two important respects, namely, in regarding the British draft convention as continuing to provide a basis for discussion, and in emphasising the importance of Germany's return to Geneva. In the House of Commons the Prime Minister agreed to give time next Tuesday for a discussion of the British memorandum. Views of Foreign Newspapers , Messages from the European capitals indicate that the British memorandum is being closely studied by other Governments. Press comments telegraphed to London, admittedly based on first impressions, on the whole are by no means unfavourable. French and German newspapers are agreed that the memorandum is at least a practical and courageous effort to resolve the deadlock, although both find points—naturally enough different points—against which to direct criticism. In both of these countries the view finds expression that the proposals may yet form the basis for an agreement.

In Geneva the document has been received with warm approval, and is regarded as skilfully designed to reconcile the differences between France and Germany. Britain's aeceptanco of permanent and automatic control is welcomed, and the proposal to write into a disarmament convention a provision for immediate consultation, "as to the steps to ho taken," in the event of its breach is recognised as an important contribution toward security, involving for Britain a departure from her traditional policy. FRENCH COMPLAINT NO TANGIBLE SECURITY PLAN NOT ACCEPTABLE .PARIS. Feb. 1 The British disarmament proposals have been given a very chilly reception in France. The Rightist press describes them as flatly unacceptable. The general complaint is the old one that the plan gives Franco no tangible security. ARMS CONFERENCE ADVICE TO BRITAIN LONDON, Feb. 1 The Daily Mail urges Britain's withdrawal from the Disarmament Conference if tho Powers do not accept, by tho middle of March, tho British memorandum or a satisfactory scheme based upon it.