HOPE STILL HELD.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 579, 8 October 1932, Page 1

HOPE STILL HELD.

Disarmament Negotiations to Continue. PARLEY NOT ABANDONED. British Official Wireless. (Received October 8, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, October 7. The exchange of views for the proposed Four-Power Conference in London to discuss difficulties arising from Germany’s withdrawal from the Disarament Conference is still continuing and, contrary to certain reports, the project has not been abandoned. The date originally suggested by the British Government, October 11, was purely tentative, and, as it is now clear, this will in any case be too early to suit some of the Governments concerned, and a short postponement to meet their convenience has been suggested. As already stated, Italy accepted and welcomed the idea if such an exchange of views and the German Cabinet will discuss it at a meeting to-* Ay. A Quai d’Orsay communique states that the question continues to be the subject of friendly conversations between London and Paris. Press messages from Washington state that while the United States does not intend to participate directly in the attempt to solve the FrancoGerman deadlock, it is most concerned to see the avoidance of a crisis, which might cause a collapse of its hopes of world disarmament. Mr Norman Davies (United States Disarmament Conference delegate) is expected to reach London to-day. His visit chiefly concerns the naval aspect of disarmament, as it affects Britain and the United States and differs from those held regarding category reductions. In the Paris Press Mr Davies expressed the belief that something could be worked out, adding that if an understanding were reached, Japan would first be brought into the discussion and later France and Italy.

GERMANY WILLING

Will Attend Conference in London. (Received October 8, 12.35 p.m.) BERLIN, October 7. The German reply to the British proposal for a conference in London has been delivered. It is believed that it welcomes the suggestion and. while expressing certain definite wishes, Germany will be glad to participate. The deliberations are likely to be fruitful.