ARMS FOR GERMANY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21744, 8 March 1934, Page 9

ARMS FOR GERMANY

BELGIUM WILLING STATEMENT BY PREMIER SENATOR UTTERS WARNING .NAZIS READY FOR WAR By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received March 7, 8.5 p.m.) BRUSSELS, March 6 The Comte de Broqueville. Belgian Prime Minister, caused a sensation in tho Senate to-day by announcing that Belgium is prepared to accept the rearmament of Germany, which, ho said, is no longer a vanquished country, but has recovered her strength and importance. The only ways in which the rearmament of Germany could be opposed were to compel her to respect the military clauses of the Peace Treaty, or to wage a preventive war, which would be worso than the evil it sought to cure. Tho Prime Minister said he refused to launch Belgium on such an adventure. The present situation was due to the great illusion of the framers of the Versailles Treaty in believing that it would be possible indefinitely to keep a great nation disarmed. Belgium, in co-operation with France, Britain and Italy, would, to tho utmost of its endeavour, arrange amicably with Germany to avoid an armaments race.

M. Dorlodot asserted that Germany is in a position to declare war at short notice. Also, he said, France's Avar material is out of date and Britain is not ready and will be attacked from the first day of hostilities.

MR. EDEN'S MISSION FRENCH REPLY AWAITED British Wireless RUGBY, March G The Disarmament Committee of the Cabinet has examined the results of Mr. Anthony Eden's visits to Rome, Paris and Berlin. Mr. Eden was made aware of the German and Italian views, but the response of the French Government is still awaited. When it is received the whole question of disarmament will be examined by the British Cabinet.

The Times says France certainly is placed in a most difficult predicament, being invited in the British memorandum to decrease her own armaments while sanctioning an increase in those of Germany. She has been accustomed to trust ta her military prowess for the maintenance of her position in Europe, and her present Government does not believe it sees anything now to take the place of arms.