The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 1932. DISARMARIMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1932, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 1932. DISARMARIMENT

The question ■of reparations being now ia course of a settlement, wji leave the heads of tha several nations free to d.scuss the otoer outstanding question .among the nations, that of disarmament } i as outlined by Mr Hoover in Iris recent proposals. In broad terms the Britisn Government has identified itself with the Hoover plan because it ready calls for a substantial measure of disarmament, and seeks to apply the * two principles of qualitative and quantitativa limitation. “Qualitative” limitation implies e.ther the special reduction or .the total abolition of certain categories of arms; “quantitativo,” . proportional reduction of all. Most countries are opposed to the use of gas apd other forms qf chemical warfare,■ rhis explains the 'fact that it was easier to reach unanimity on a resolution affirming “qualitative reduction than on one which would commit each country to a comprehensive reduction embracing all the fighting arms both in material and personnel. The most impressive point made by Mr Baldwin in Its recent statement is that Britain in certain respects . has gone. much further than any of the others in the- direction proposed by Mr Hoover; mue'E further, in fact, * than 'is warranted bv considerations, and the policing of her native communities. Pres dent Hoovur, for example, proposed the division of land forces into police components I ' and defence components. On that basis, declares Mr Baldwin, the Brit sh land forces have been already reduced “much below ‘ the number recognised as necessary for the maintenance of internal order without making allowance for forces needled on lines of eommunicat on within the Empi e. Again, while Britain is prepared to underI take a progressive scaling-down of gun ea’ibres and tonnages of all* classes of fighting ship, and has already gone far in that direction, the * American proposal-leaves the capital-ship?, with their enormously expensive tonnage and 1 - armaments, and maintenance, out cf -the l picture. Hence Mr Baldwin’s proposal for progressive reductions of all classes of navy ships, band the reduction or elimination of certain instruments of warfare, is a te c t question -for - America as well' as for the European- nations. Their clear enunciation illustrates once again Britain’? habit of pnrforming more' than sV promises, and it will be -surpiising if thev do not produce an effect upon the assembly at Geneva. The attitude taken up by' Br'tain is again a very generous one, and should give a leaf to other countries to meet the position in a similar generous manner.