GERMAN DISARMAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, 14 December 1926, Page 9

GERMAN DISARMAMENT

AN AGREEMENT REACHED SETTLEMENT BY LEAGUE NEW SCHEME OF CONTROL 9r T«legr»ph—Pi»m Am. —Ospyrlgkt. Received Dee. 13, 5.5 p.m. London, Dee. 13. After eighteen months’ discussion more than 100 difficult matters which divided Germany and the Allies in connection with the Versailles Treaty have been settled. The final difficulty proved to be disarmament. The Allies admitted that Germany had carried out most of her obligations, but France regarded the eastern fortresses and Germany’s capacity to export semi-finished war material as dangerous to herself and Poland, and refused her assent to giving up the right of supervision over German armaments until these matter were disposed of. Germany offered to submit the matters to arbitration, but despite M. Briand urging acceptance of this, the French Cabinet, which was sitting all day, persisted in its refusal. Finally, Dr. Stresemahn, fearing M. Brian d would resign, agreed that if a majority of the League of Nations’ Council deemed it necessary, that the Council should further investigate the disarmament question. Received Dec. 13, 5.5 p.m. Geneva, Dec. 12. The greatest relief is expressed in League circles at the news of the AlliedGerman agreement. Apprehension had previously been engendered by lengthy sittings of the Big Six and M. Briand’s and Dr. Stresemann’s frequent requests for instructions from their capitals. Between now and January 31 the German Government and the Allied Commission will endeavour to come to terms regarding disarmament. After January the League and international supervision will be substituted for Allied control, and the change is likely to prove less humiliating to Germany than the present form. If Germany is unable to satisfy the Allies in the matters of fortresses and the exportation of unfinished war material, these will be considered by the League Council, presumably in March. Received Dec. 13, 7.15 p.m. Paris, Dec. 13. There wae a heated day-long discussion in the Cabinet before assent was given to the compromise whereby l M. Briand obtained Dr. Stresemann’s assent. M. Poincare had to use all his powers of persuasion with the Nationalist section of the Cabinet, pointing out that unless M. Briand supported him the long battle for the franc had been fought in vain. '

THE ELEVENTH HOUR HITCH. FRANCE CENTRE OF GRAVITY. Geneva, Dec. 12. There was an eleventh hour hitch in the settlement of the German disarmament problem, and Paris became the centre of gravity instead of Geneva. There was an abortive conference of the Big Five, which Herr Stresemann left dissatisfied. Meanwhile the Cabinet sitting in Paris telephoned instructions to M. Briand. In the afternoon the Council of the League met and adopted a scheme providing for the League’s supervision of German armaments, but did not fix the date for the withdrawal of the InterAllied Commission, which was left to to-night’s meeting of the Locarno signatories, but later instructions {rom a second French Cabinet meeting resulted in holding up progress till a further meeting to-morrow. Berlin, Nov. 12. The acceptance by the Geneva Conference of most of the German demands is regarded as a victory for the Government, but Nationalist organs criticise the settlement on the ground of France’s ability to influence the League Council. The Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung significantly comments: “Germany is still unjustly subjected to partisanship in connection with the Versailles Treaty, but we have now a new weapon and have taken another step towards German recovery.” Geneva, Dee. 12. Sir Austen Chamberlain, MM. Vandervelde and Briand, Dr. Stresemann and Signor Skialoja and Count Ishii have agreed that the Inter-Allied Military Control Commission shall cease functioning in Germany from January 31. 1927, when it will be replaced by the League of Nations’ Investigating Commission. In the meantime the Inter-Al-lied Commission will examine the fresh proposals Germany is submitting regarding the eastern fortifications and ' the export of war materials. If they do not agree, the points in dispute will be submitted to the League’s Investigating Commission. Germany has undertaken to suspend military work on the eastern frontier. Replying to the president on the Council’s congratulations on the receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize, Sir Austen Chamberlain said he had been delighted with the Imperial Conference delegates congratulations to Britain upon the Locarno Pact. “Britain has now recen ed a further recognition from a more independent, more international source, which dedicates us afresh to efforts for reconciliation and peace throughout the world and to the strengthening of the League of Nations,” added Sir Austen.