LIMITING ARMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23262, 3 February 1939, Page 9

LIMITING ARMS

BRITAIN'S READINESS NECESSARY PRELIMINARIES DESIRE FOR SETTLEMENT NO SINISTER INTENTIONS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON. Feb. 1 The passage in Mr. Chamberlain's speech in the House of Commons yesterday on foreign affairs which has attracted most attention was that in which he replied to the desire expressed by Herr Hitler on Monday night for a restoration of confidence and co-operation between the great Powers. Mr. Chamberlain welcomed the idea of a frank discussion of aspirations and grievances, but noted' that before formal discussions took place it must bo certain that all the participants had a genuine desire for a peaceable settlement and had no sinister idea in their minds. "What we want is not only words which indicate a desire for peace, but before we can enter upon that final settlement we shall want to see some concrete evidence in willingness, let us say., to enter into arrangements for, at any rate, a limitation of armaments. "If that time comes, if we can find a spirit oorTe3ponding to our own elsewhere then I know this country will not be unsympathetic, and we shall bo ready to make our contribution to a general appeasement in Europe." Britain's Invulnerability Essential The Daily Telegraph, referring to this hint about the need for a final settlement of the anxieties which now perennially beset Europe, says: "If there is to be any hope of success, there will have to be much more thorough preparations than that which preceded the Disarmament Conference of 1932, and a much more favourable atmosphere for discussions than exists at present. "If and when the time comes this country, as Mr. Chambrelain said, will bo ready to make its contribution, but it will necessarily be a contribution based on the assurance of our invulnerability by sea and' air. In the meantime we cannot for a moment relax the efforts we are now making to overtake our deficiencies, especially in the air arm." The News Chronicle describes Mr. Chamberlain's statement as a realistic reply to Herr Hitler's vague hints. Arms Must Equal those of Others The Daily Mail, while it emphasises that there will be no more one-sided disarming by Britain, says it regards Mr. Chamberlain's statement as of most far-reaching importance. It agrees that a halt in the intense competition in war preparations bv agreement among the Powers could be the basis for a settlement of outstanding problems and would be an essential preliminary to appeasement. The Times says: "There can be no slackening of the great effort now being made to prepare the' nation for any and every emergency. We made our practical experiment in disarmament by example and found that that example was not followed. Wo cannot now be reproached for falling back on the method of bargain, and in order to bargain for a limitation of the armaments of others wo must have at least equivalent armaments of our own as counters. "Herr Hitler expressed himself in favour of the principle of disarmament. He may be assured that the claims he still wishes to urge upon Britain have in this country their best chance of sympathetic consideration."