FRENCH CRITICISM

Hokitika Guardian, 14 September 1932, Page 5

FRENCH CRITICISM

OF GERMAN CLAIM TO EQUALITY OF ARMAMENTS. 9 (United Press Association—By Electric Xeieg. apb—Copyright.) PARIS, September 12. (France’s reply to Germany, cixalIsiigej the latter’s suggestion of the ■inadequacy of th 6 Disarmament Con;f.ci\!nye.; It acius: "Praucq has done everything possible to promote the iCo.nference’i® 'work, and she .agreed to delay the examination of the French security thesis, until Germany’s claim was considered. France showed willingness to reduce armament, when the Chamber of Deputies lowered the military vote by 1,500,000 francs. /She altso .‘proposed the • prohibition of aerial bombardment. Th 6 League Assembly recognised the world should tend not towards individual re-armani|nt, but general- controlled disarmament. France would assist th© Conference in this spirit, basing her doctrine on article eight of the covenant.” . • If Germany declared herself entitled to modify her own armaments statute, she -would contravene Treaty obligations, ,and prevent general disarmament, It was desired .to attain a convention relieving the people of burdenis, and conferring a real guarantee of peace, • France’s efforts should permit the establishment of the status of Germany in the general peace status protected by arbitration control, France was not legally justified in supporting Germany’s ,corn font (on •’ that the disarmament oonvientoin would Supersede the treaty, but within this legal reservation, Franc e would co-opc<rate in an examination of the- problem. Germany’s claim entailed -re-arma-ment which would inevitably 1 spread to ..ill States subscribing to similar treaties, leading to ,a recommencement of armament rivalry. -Central and Eastern Europe, and therefore the whole Continent was interested in the question, which France could not undertake to answer alone. The whole naval status of the Powers was involved., Therefor© it was not prudent to, give an individual reply which might affect the military situation of the world. The necessary negotiations should not be begun without consultation of the Powers adhering to the conference pact of July 13, to which Germany had subscribed’. France reserved the right to submit to the League the reasons presenting her agreeing to the re-arma-ment of Germany. She consented at Lausanne to certain sacrifices in the general interest, and thinks she' can co-operate with Germany in the search for a ,new statute not- by returning |o the preparation for war, but by a progressive organisation for peace. VON PAPEN’S BROADCAST. . -PROGRAMME TO BE PURSUED. BERLIN I*Chancellor Von Papen made a speech that. was broadcast throughout Germany, He only briefly touched on the developments in Reichstag, .Notably he complained that the House could listen to the tirade on behalf of Mloscow’-3 emissaries made by “Red” Clara Zetkin a fortnight ago, but th 6 House was unwilling to hear himself, as the Chancellor, stated the Government’s case. He declared that Germany would refuse to participate any further in the Disarmament Conference till her -claim to equality in armaments had been conceded. Captain Von Papem ad<M • “We have finished with the Reparations. The Young Plan is, dead—nevo r to he resurrected. It never will be possi'-ie to demand from us more than what wen agreed at Lausanne.” He asserted that the 1 Government were determined to proceed with the-’.r programme of reconstruction;