WORLD PROBLEMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21531, 31 December 1931, Page 8

WORLD PROBLEMS

TARIFFS AND. DISARMAMENT PLAIN SPEAKING TO FRANCE (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, December 29. Discussing the implications of modern internationalism, Professor Gilbert Murray, addressing an Anglo-French Conference on tariffs and disarmament, said some plain words to France. After emphasising that modern capitals were destructible, even by commercial aircraft, but not aerially defensible, he declared that France had no i learned the lesson of the modern economic bond nor the impossibility of national isolation. “In this she can learn from us, after which England and France can teach America. The Paris Pact implies that wo must build international relations on a new basis. The existence of a society of nations and a new system of economic life demands international disarmament. If the great nations genuinely insist on peace, it will bo assured. No war-maker can stand against the will of the League Council plus America.” DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE. EMPIRE PLAN OF CAMPAIGN. LONDON, December 29. It is learned that all available Empire delegates to the Disarmament Conference and their advisers will hold daily meetings with the British delegation in London to discuss an Empire plan of campaign with the object of strengthening their hands at Geneva by the unanimous support of a prearranged policy, AMERICA’S ATTITUDE. FRENCH PRESS COMMENT. LONDON, December 29. (Received Dec. 30, at 8 p.m.) The Paris correspondent of The Times says that the press insists that in view of America’s attitude France and Britain must pursue an agreed policy. Le Temps asserts that “The entente is indispensiblc as the basis of a constructive European policy. Concerted action between London and Paris has never been harmfully directed against any Power or group of Powers, but has always been for the general good of Europe. The two Powers, unitedly wielding the surest international influence, should act co-operatively. A solution has been easy wherever a great international discussion has been approached after a preliminary Anglo-French agreement, but when this has been lacking difficulties have been insuperable and half measures have resulted. Germany’s creditors and America’s debtors should present a united front between the Basle findings and American stubbornness. European nations must present America with a concerted scheme, making her responsible for the chaos following its rejection.” MILITARY AVIATION. PROHIBITION URGED. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, December 20. (Received Dec. 30, at 5.5 p.m.) Professor Gilbert Murray, in his address, expressed the view that Europe could have no security without disarmament. He added: “We have no doubt regarding moral guarantees, but we have no guarantees against war from the air. You can destroy London and we can destroy Paris, but neither can defend. Even Germany, with no military planes, has enough commercial planes to destroy Paris with bombs. The first step to material security is the prohibition of military aviation and the internationalisation of commercial aircraft companies.” REPARATIONS CONFERENCE. AMERICA STANDS ALOOF. WASHINGTON, December 29. Mr Ogden Mills (Under-secretary of the Treasury) stated to-day that the United States had not been asked to participate, even unofficially, in the European Reparations Conference in January, and would not attend if asked. OUTLOOK FOR CONFERENCE. A FAR-REACHING CHANGE. LONDON, December 30. (Received Dec. 31, at 1.30 a.m.) The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent says: *' The outlook for the International Reparations Conference has undergone an unexpected and farreaching change as there is now a strong prospect of a preliminary agreement between Anglo-French Treasury experts which the conference will probably accept.” The correspondent forecasts that the conference’s task will be restricted to the discovery of a purely provisional ' solution of the reparations problem, broadly following these lines: —Germany to receive a three years moratorium on portion of the Young Plan annuities, this being the mean of the British demand for five years and the French for two years; secondly, though Germany would be required during the moratorium to pay the unconditional portion of the annuities to the Bank of International Settlements the money would be re-lent to the German railways, thus avoiding any external cash payments; thirdly, as compensation for Franco and some of the smaller beneficiaries Germany would be asked to make limited payments in kind; fourthly, the creditor Powers would promise a re-examination of Germany’s capacity to pay reparations at the end of the moratorium.