ARMS EQUALITY

Hokitika Guardian, 8 December 1932, Page 5

ARMS EQUALITY

GERMANY’S CLAIM

CONVERSATIONS AT GENEVA.

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

GENEVA, December 61 At Geneva to-day, the five Powers’ conversations took place, mainly, it is understood, on the.basis of the memorandum put forward by Mr Davis. The main features'of the proposal are the provision for an immediate convention, to- run to 1936, when the naval agreements now in force will have expired, this document to embody, inter-alia, a formal recognition of Germany’s right to arms equality, and France’s right to security, both to be worked out within the next three years; and provisions regarding the limitation of land gun calibres, the size, of tanks, a 33 1-3 per cent, reduction in effectives, the abolition of air bombing, gas germ, and flame warfare, and the adhesion of France and Italy to the London Naval Treaty. It is understood that the German Foreign Minister regards the proposal as unacceptable in its present form, and that M. Herriot is also critical,

GOOD PROGRESS REPORTED.

AMERICAN PLAN CONSIDERED.

RUGBY, December 6

Geneva reports state that good progress was made at yesterday’s conversations, and it is stated that a tentative agreement between the British. Americans, French and Italians was reached on what is called the “American plan,” providing a basis for an mediate convention. If the proposal is adopted, the measure of agreement reached after the work of the Disarmament Conference Bureau during the year will be embodied in a convention that would run until 1936, when the naval agreements now in force will expire.

The practical application of the principals of the convention would be worked out by the < permanent commission, which apparently have the same constitution as the existing general committee of the Disarmament Conference, > all nations being represented by a permanent delegate. The permanent commission would also prepare the way for a new conference in three years’ time.