DISARMAMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22284, 9 June 1934, Page 11

DISARMAMENT

POSITION UNCHANGED EFFORT TO CO-ORDINATE VIEWS (British OfflclaJ Wireless.) (United Press Association.) (By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright.) RUGBY, June 7. The programme of work for the series of committees which was submitted to the bureau at Geneva yesterday by M. Barthou (France) appears to have had the effect of relieving the tension of th" previous day. The newspapers state that the situation remains practically unchanged. One section of the bureau still supports Mr Henderson's proposals to suspend the conference's work pending negotiations with Germany and France, to be conducted on behalf of the conference. The other section favours the French proposal for the continuation of the conference for the purpose of discussing certain questions in the absence of Germany, and opposes conference negotiations with Germany, but would countenance such negotiations by individual Governments. . The continued existence of these differences was emphasised ,»y Mr Norman Davis (America), and following his suggestion that time for'reflection was required, it was agreed ro adjourn the discussion until Friday. M. Barthou emphasised that this resolution carefully left the door open for the return of Germauy to the conference, but iu the French view this should be spontaneous and unconditional.

Mr R. A. Eden (Great Britain) indicated preference for Mr Henderson's proposal, and emphasised that the Note 3 exchanged between the four Governments were of direct interest to the conference, having resulted from an invitation presented by the bureau to certain members. He said he believed the essential factor in the situation was to obtain some approximation of the view on disarmament between France and Germany. Upon this everything else depended, and until it was attained few if any practical results were likely' to emerge from the prolongation of the present discussions. Another committee was appointed at yesterday's session to co-ordinate, if possible, the resolutions before the bureau, and. there was a meeting last night between M. Barthou and Mr Davis.

Private conversations in which the British, French, and American delegates participated, continued to-day. 'M. Bartholin latest proposals Jed the British and American delegates to consult their Governments. It is anticipated that Captain Eden will make a full statement of the British viewpoint at to-morrow's meeting of the bureau. PERPETUATING ENMITY FRENCH ATTITUDE CRITICISED. LONDON, June 7. Supporting the Bishop of London'3 motion in favour of the Church aiding the League of Nations in promoting the principles of international justice, the Archbishop of Canterbury (Dr Lang), speaking in Che Upper House of Convocation of Canterbury, criticised the French attitude towards disarmament. He said M. Barthou's attitude, after every allowance was made for the apprehensions of a nation that had been twice invaded, was deplorable. It was elementary statesmanship to recognise that France's real risk was perpetuating ennjity with Germany. If France continued contemptuously to reject Germany's, reasonable proposals the risk must be deepened. The best way to avoid it was to do everything to prevent Germany from, doing what she undoubtedly would do if disarmament failed—namely, arm herself in correspondence with France's suspicions. The motion was carried. GERMANY'S INTENTIONS WILL NOT RETURN TO LEAGUE. BERLIN, June 7. It is semi-officially announced .that Germany does not intend to return to Geneva in view of France's continued wish for discrimination against her. INVITATION TO REJOIN. LONDON, June 8. (Received June 9, at 1.15 a.m.) The British, French and American Governments have agreed to the text of a resolution inviting Germany to return to the Disarmament Conference. GERMANY'S DEFENCES FRENCH MINISTER'S STATEMENT. LONDON, June 8. (Received June 8, at 8 p.m.) The Daily Mail's Paris correspondent says: "While the undertakers have been summoned to bury the Disarmament Conference, the Minister of War (General Petain) told the Finance Commission of the Chamber of Deputies that Germany has rearmed to pre-war strength and can put 1,600,000 men in the field in a week and 2,800,000 in a month, besides restoring the air force. Germany has intensively trained 500,000 Storm Troops for months as the nucleus of a field force."