FRANCE AND GERMANY

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 371, 30 September 1933, Page 5

FRANCE AND GERMANY

First Direct Approach • LONG CONFERENCE HELD Press Association.—Copyright. Geneva, Sept, 29. The first direct approach cf France and Germany since the new disarmament j plan was mooted occurred to-day, when J M. Paul Boncour and Baron von Neurath | met in a long conference. A comi munique stated they covered the whole | field of their mutual differences. I It is learned that M. Paul Boncour | outlined the proposals agreed to by Brij tain, France, America and Italy. These j deal with virtual stabilisation of armaj ments for four years, during which there i will be strict supervision, after which, | if the agreement is observed, disar.maI ment will begin. An important point j is that the programme of disarmament to I be carried out after a trial period shall j be definitely fixed now. ! M. Paul Boncour explained that the Powers insisted there should be no rearmament in Germany during the trial I period, but the Powers would begin to abolish certain offensive weapons, notably heavy mobile guns and heavy tanks, i Baron von Neurath said he feared the J proposals would be unacceptable, but he agreed to return to Berlin to consult the Chancellor (Herr Adolf Hitler) and • bring a definite answer at the earliest | moment. j Sir John Simon's declaration at Geneva j on Wednesday in opposition to any fur- | ther adjournment of the Disarmament Conference has been the subject of fav- , curable comment in London. I The conversations among the statesmen 1 at Geneva are proceeding in an endeavour to clear away obstacles and prepare for the shaping of the draft convention • into a form most likely to meet the pre- ■ sent situation.