LIMITATION OF ARMAMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13926, 11 June 1907, Page 5

LIMITATION OF ARMAMENTS.

VIEWS OF A FRENCH MINISTER

P«M Auooi»tion-Bj Telegraph-Copjright.

PARIS, June 9. M. Piehon, Minislor of Foreign Affairs, says that France should exurhine the proposed limitation of armaments without illusions, pending unanimous decisions among uie Powere.

Sir H. Canipbell.riannermari'B disarmament proposals and bis article iii the Nation on that subject havo been tho chief topics of discussion among French statesmen. M. Clurlen Dupuy, now a Senator and thrice Premier in former Ministries, guve his views to ft representative of the Daily Mail as follows: —

_ 1 do not consider the proposals practicable. They are proniatm-o. What exactly doco he mean by the expression ' limitation of araiamenta' 1 Docs he mean that tlio nations are to stop short and remain where they etand to'-day, and that eooh is not to upend more than a certain proportionate amount on it« armaments? If ••», there would bo no great change. .England would still possess the largest Navy, and Germany would be supreme on land, rlo cannot cxpoct rival P'owers to rog&id w ]>crm,T.nent tho naval and military advantages which others have acquired. Who is to decide what in to bo tho limit to the increase of warlike forces by each nation, and how is such decision 'to bo enforced? Some sort of international constabulary would bo needed to control military expenditure and prevont secret preparations for war. At the present moment thero are many symptome of unrest; for example, I may mention the recent trouble between tho United' States and Japan, while tho German elections do not indicate imy earnest desire for reduced armaments in Germany. Much as I respect the British Premier, I do not think that his proposal comee at nn opportune moment. The most that we hope for from the approaohinjr Haguo Confcwnco is a discussion with a yiow to an international agreement concerninj; the uce of modern engines of war, such as bombfl. Then, say in 10 years' time, when the way has boon cleared bv a thorough interchange of views, the proposal for the limitation of armaments might be brought forward with some hopo" of success. I noj.ico tliai. while Sir Henry is proposing the limitation of armaments wo find Mr Hnldane. his War Minister, doing his beet to porffct the organisation of tho British Army so as to make it us formidable a fifrhtinir machine as possible."

Captain Humliert, a distinguished deputy and one of tho most influential members of tho French Army Committee, expressed tho wish that conflicts might l>o fouriit out by arbitration rather than with powder and shot. France, however, must keep up an efficient and powerful army and navy until a right, stale of mind was reached by all nations. Sir TTonrvV ideas wero noWc, but ho was 100 optimistic.

M. Gaston Menier, the millionaire chocolate manufacturer and deputy, wno 13 a representative of French business opinion, approve* of Sir Henry's proposals in principle. Ho says tho limitation of armaments are desirable, yet tho nations can not entirely disarm. Franco can not take tho initiative.