“PRECAUTIONARY”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22204, 6 March 1934, Page 9

“PRECAUTIONARY”

REARMING BY NATIONS NO INTENTION OF FIGHTING (United Press Association.) .(By Electric Telegraph'—Copyright.) LONDON, March 4. “ I believe there will not be war in Europe, despite the failure of the Disarmament Conference,” writes Mr Lloyd George, in the Dispatch. “ The nations will continue rearming, especially in the air, but they have no intention of lighting. Their activities thus far are precautionary.” FRENCH REPLY TO BRITAIN. NOTE EXPECTED THIS WEEK.

, LONDON, March 5. (Received March 5, at 11 p.m.)

The Daily Herald says it is expected that the French disarmament Note will reach London at the end of the week, and though polite it will be a complete rejection of the Simon memorandum, making it almost impossible \to continue the negotiations.

VITAL QUESTION FOR FRANCE.

LONDON, February 20.

The discussion between Mr , Anthony Eden, Lord Privy Seal, and French Ministers of the British disarmament memorandum has not dispelled the prevailing pessimism regarding prospects of disarmament.

After the discussion, says the Paris correspondent 6t The Times, Captain Eden left for Berlin. A semi-official statement in Le Temps says: “It is obvious that France cannot accept the British memorandum as it stands. Certain Powers still make the mistake of thinking that disarmament can be made, the starting point for the consolidation of peace, whereas it can only be the logical outcome of security already acquired. “ The vital questioo for France is to know how far the Powers, especially Britain, are prepared to go in giving a firm undertaking to safeguard the peace of Europe. “ Nobody doubts the loyalty with which Britain keeps her word whisn it is given, but nations exposed to aggression can agree to abandon their means of defence only in return for precise undertakings applicable to definite circumstances."