DEATH KNELL.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20233, 17 February 1934, Page 1

DEATH KNELL.

British Disarmament Plan Doomed. FRENCH REPLY TO GERMANY. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received February 17, noon.) PARIS, February 16. The French reply to the German disarmament memorandum of January 19 denies the truth of the German declaration that the Powers possessing powerful armaments are disinclined to disarm, which the French proposals contradict. The French newspapers contend that the Note is the death knell of the British plan and likewise foredooms to failure Captain Anthony Eden’s negotiations. France is surprised that Germany neither explains her views regarding control, nor replies regarding the scope of the suggested non-aggression pacts in their relations to Locarno. The reply declares that the fundamental points are: Firstly, all German forces of any military character must be taken into account; secondly, equality in material is only possible after the absorption of all formations into the effectives limited by the Convention. Germany, it is said, ignored those points thereby rejecting the French aide memoire. France therefore regards the extensive German questionnaire as useless. The reply adds that published documents show that the German Army already possesses resources outside the treaties. There is nothing in the mechanism of control harmful to Germany’s dignity, whose rights no Government could ignore. It gives the assurance that France has no intention of making up the decrease of her home effectives by calling in overseas troops. GERMANY INDIGNANT. “France Has no Intention of Disarming.” (Received February 17, 11 a.m.) BERLIN, February 16. Upon a cue which was obvious, the German newspapers are unanimously indignant regarding the French Note, contending that it evades material points, proving conclusively that France has. no intention of disarming. GERMANY TO REPLY. BERLIN, February 16. Government quarters consider that the French reply does not bring disarmament nearer. It repeats the allegations already disproved regarding the Brown Shirts. Germany will reply in due course. EFFORTS BY BRITAIN. British Official Wireless. RUGBY, February 15. The Disarmament Committe of the Cabinet met and was attended by Captain Anthony Eden, who leaves tomorrow for Paris, Berlin and Rome, in connection with further conversations on the disarmament question.