DISARMAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 29 April 1932, Page 5

DISARMAMENT

> BRITISH HINT

EXCEEDING NAVAL LIMITS. (United Press Association.—D v Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) GENEVA, April 27. A semi official pronouncement has been made ,jn. the press that Britain regards the progress at the Conference . towards disarmament as disappoint;:ng- \ ly slow. This is the sensation of the ’ day, especially ns is coupled with a veiiled hint that Biitain, in (ertain circumstances, might take advantage of a provision in the London Naval Treaty that would permit the construction of warships over and above the ■specified limits.

This pronouncement added ho the •French elections lias contributed to making many days fruitless. Owing to 'illness, the French. Prime 'Minister. M. Tardkui, lies been ciinipn’led to cancel his proposed meeting with / Mr MacDonald, Mr Sfimson, Chancellor Bruening and Signor Qrandi, at Geneva on Friday, y«-- • Another message states that the Bri- , Itish Prime Minister probably will be loading for London on Saturday. Mr 'Stillfson (United States Secretary) has arranged to return to the United States on Wednesday, Other judges of the situation express the opinion that khe illness ot | M. Tardieu, the French Premier, is I .kv!y sfi'-i 1 .further to delay pt'ogre r. M. Tardieu is a very strong man, but the has been speaking in pubic forty-five hours out of sixty, mostly in the open air. The strain has been too great for any man. Nevertheless his failure to med; Mr Stimsou and Mr MacDonald 0,1 Friday is most regrettable. This failure has caused a wave of pessimism which has extended to Berlin, where the National circles bluntly declare that M, Tardieu’s ill-

-pess is a diplomatic one jn order to < rvo’d discussing with Chanoo'lor Bruening, Germany’,s claim for equality in the matter of disarmament. Moreover Berlin expresses the opiirou 'that M, Tardieu is unwilling to risk losing the advantage for his election campaign, due to Herr Hitler’s electioneering. The Naval Commission of the Disarmament Conference is hopelessly split on the 1 question of what constitutes (offensive valid defensive armaments.

Admiral Hepburn, of the United

•States, has declared ithat America considers- the submarine to be the only * aggjressive naval arm. v. Admiral Sato, on behalf of Japan, on the contrary, has attacked the' aircraft carriers act being highly aggressive.

Rtisriit has dt'olaj<‘cl that, nil naval vui&pls iii'i' otl’wiaivf'. ueapmiH. while tluj polish delegate, on behalf of France, argued that submarines are strictly defensive.

MR STIMSON DISAPPOINTED

(Received this day at 8 a m.) GENEVA, April 28. •- ’ Mr SLimson is leaving on April 29th, ) probabiy also Mr Rarm,ay MacDonrfcL American circles declare that Mr Stim-

son is greatly disappointed with his visit to Europe, and cannot avoid the conclusion that the European governments, especially uncompromising attitudes by France and Germany is still the grea't obstacle in the way of a satisfactory settlement of international problems.