ARMS QUESTION

Southland Times, Issue 21853, 2 November 1932, Page 7

ARMS QUESTION

NEW FRENCH PLAN GREAT INTEREST IN LONDON FULL DETAILS AWAITED (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, October 31. The newspapers display great interest in the proposals of the French disarmament plan for abolishing professional armies and the conversion of all land forces in Europe into militia recruited by conscription for short periods of service. , ± . ... , Britain will not be asked to institute conscription or alter the present organization of the British Army in any way, and the proposal is intended as a basis for Continental armies only. Until the French plan is developed in fuller details, particularly in relation to Germany’s claim to equality of status and in regard to proposals for aerial and naval disarmament, no official comment is available in London. It is anticipated that the complete scheme put forward by the French will be outlined at Geneva on November 4. It is understood that at Cabinet Councils prolonged consideration was given to the disarmament question and the general European situation. It is semi-officially reported from Berlin that Germany will refrain from replying to Sir Eric Druminond s arms truce letter while her equality of armaments claim is refused.