PLAN APPROVED

Taranaki Daily News, 29 March 1933, Page 7

PLAN APPROVED

DISARMING OF NATIONS OPINIONS OF 34 COUNTRIES / GENERAL IDEA WELCOMED INDIVIDUAL RESERVATIONS BRITISH DRAFT CONVENTION British Wireless. Rugby, March 27. The delegates of many countries spoke when the discussion began on the British draft convention for the Disarmament Conference at Geneva. Practically all the speakers warmly welcomed the general idea of the plan, expressed appreciation of the motives underlying its production and recognised its stimulating effects on the conference, but many of them found individual points in the scheme which, in their view, required amendment. This was in accordance with expectations. Consequently Sir John Simon, British Foreign Secretary, tabled a motion that the convention should serve as the basis for discussion after Easter, the various delegations retaining the right to propose modifications, amendments and additions according to their wishes. Sir John expressed satisfaction at the reception given the plan, and said that of 34 speeches made not one had disapapproved of it. Despite the reservations the plan in principle had been approved. He was sure most countries were dissatisfied with the figures allotted them, but a further examination might give them some comfort.

Germany, was not being asked for further contributions to disarmament, but the contribution that would weigh heavily in the balance would be the establishment of confidence, goodwill and mutual understanding. The conference adjourned till April 25.

Points in the draft convention were the subject of questions in the House of Commons. Asked regarding the omission of Turkey from the list of European Powers mentioned in the effectives table of the convention Mr. R. A. Eden, Foreign Under-Secretary, replied: “The greater part of Turkish effectives are stationed outside Europe, as are our own, and for this reason neither Turkish figures nor our own appear in this particular list.” Asked why the convention allotted Japan the same number of first-line aircraft as Britain, having regard to the much larger area and population of the British Empire, the Prime Minister, Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, pointed out that the figures in the draft were inserted as a basis for discussion and negotiations. They did not cover the Dominions or India, which were separately represented at the Disarmament Conference. The Soviet at the general commission of the Disarmament Conference supported the Turkish demand for a revision of the Dardanelles Convention attached to the Lausanne Peace Treaty. Herr Nadoly based his speech on a quotation of Mr. MacDonald’s opening speech insisting that the basis of ultimate agreement was “give and take.” Herr Nadoly maintained that as Germany was already a disarmed nation the disarmament convention must first abolish all weapons forbidden Germany or allow such weapons in Germany. He added that the present insecurity of Europe was a result of the rigours and injustices of the peace treaties. The British plan did not provide for enough disarmament. - M. Dovgalevsky on behalf of Russia emphasised that the Soviet was unable to remain indifferent to the proposals for a reduction in European armies owing to there being such a neighbour as Japan. Senor Madariaga on behalf of Spain declared that the British air proposals were far too modest. He called for the total suppression of military and naval aviation.