PEACE OF EUROPE IN DANGER

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19671, 13 December 1933, Page 7

PEACE OF EUROPE IN DANGER

VIGOROUS CRITICISM OF GENEVA MR HENDERSON’S ATTACK I ON FRANCE United Press Association—By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright (Received, December 12, 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 12. There has been some criticism of the speech by Mr Arthur Henderson (President of the Disarmament Conference) at Mr Avenol’s private meeting of the members of the House of Commons. According to several members present, Mr Henderson spoke with vigour and even with passion about the difficulties the Disarmament Conference had to face. He appeared critical of France, saying that she had seven governments in the twenty-one months period of the Conference. He stressed that Germany, though promised equality, still was deprived of the opportunity to redress her grievances. Germany had been held in subjection by the victorious powers for fifteen years, with the result that the German power had become an irresistible force. Some of the Members of the House of Commons, regarded the speech as anti-French and indiscreet. EUROPE’S UNCERTAIN ATTITUDE. SIR JOHN SIMON S CAUTION. British Official Wireless RUGBY, December 11. At question time in the House of Commons, Sir John Simon stated that in accordance with the suggestion made by the Bureau of the Disarmament Conference, the British Government were in communication with the various Governments with a view to advancing in every wny possible the work which lay before the general commission. He added that it would not be in the public interest to make any statement at present. Italy’s Silence. Sir John Simon said no official communication had been received from the Italian Government regarding the question of an alteration in the constitution, powers or procedure of the League of Nations. He had no statement to make on the matter at the moment. VISIT OF LEAGUE SECRETARY. British Official Wireless RUGBY, December 11. M. Avenol (Secretary-General of the League of Nations), reached London yesterday. He was the guest of Sir John Simon at luncheon at the House of Commons. The “Times,” in a leading article points out that it is a coincidence that the visit comes just after the declaration in favour of the reform constitution of the League, but adds that this subject no doubt will be a topic of discussion during the visit to London, as it is in Rome. GERMAN SUBSCRIPTION LEAGUE SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION OFFERED. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright GENEVA, December 11. The Geneva correspondent of “The Daily Mail” says: “Herr Hitler sent the League of Nations £40,000 overdue German contributions. He promises the balance of £60,000 in a few weeks.