ANSWER EARLY

Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1933, Page 7

ANSWER EARLY

FRANCO=GERMAN MEETING ARMAMENT TRIAL PERIOD REICH NOT THEN TO RE-ARM OFFENSIVE WEAPONS TO GO' “PROPOSAL UNACCEPTABLE” By Telegraph— Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 10 p.m. Geneva, Sept. 29. The first direct approach of France and Germany since, the new disarmament plan was mooted occurred to-day, when M. Paul Boncour and Baron von Neurath met in a long conference. A communique stated they covered the whole field of their mutual differences. It is learned that M. Paul Boncour outlined the proposals agreed to by Britain, France, America and Italy. These deal with virtual stabilisation of armaments for four years, during -which there will be strict supervision, after which, if the agreement is observed,' disarmament will begin. An important point is that the programme of disarmament to be carried out after a trial period shall be definitely fixed now. M. Paul Boncour explained that the Powers insisted there should be no rearmament in Germany during the trial period, but the Powers would begin to abolish certain offensive weapons, notably heavy mobile guns and heavy tanks. Baron von Neurath said he feared the 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. Sir John Simon’s declaration at Geneva - on Wednesday in opposition to any further adjournment of the Disarmament Conference has been the subject of favourable comment in London. The conversations among the statesmen 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 present situation.