DISARMAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1933, Page 5

DISARMAMENT

GERMANY’S ACTION

OPINION OF MR CHAMBERLAIN.

(British Official Wireless.)

li'UGOBY, October 17. Brief reference was made to Germany’s action by Mr. Neville Chambcrlain m a upeech at Nottingham. He said: “Tile British Government made a great effort to restore that confidence to which nothing could' iiave contributed more powerfully than the adoption of the disarmament convention, such as.was proposed recently by the British Foreign Secretary at Geneva. ■ ' We must therefore deeply regret the precipitate and ill-judged action of the German Government; because the proposals made by Sir J. Simon, which received general support not only of , France, but also of the United States and Italy, were specifically designed to give Germany complete equality of treatment within a reasonable .period. The situation’ required the t calmest and most deliberate consideration, and...all would, do well to refrain from hasty comment, and from alarmist speculation.’’ ' “ When -Sir J. Simon and' Captain Eden reached London > Sir- JV Simon I stated it was on October C that the German ' charge d’affaires in London communicated to hint Germany’s “observations” on the 1 disarmament situation, A similar communication was made at the same time in Rome, but not to the French'or the United States Governments, ' whose representatives. liad taken part in the earlier conversations. These “observations” seriously affected the situation, and immediately after hearing them, Sir J. Simon' communicated them to the French and Italian Am- ■ bessadors in London.

The. Cabinet meets to-day to receive a full statement J from Sir J. Simon, on the disarmament,' and ..to discuss Britain’s policy in the light of events. In the meantime, it was .plainly intimated yesterday night that no announcement of the' Government’s attitude can ,be expected until the positions is fully examined. THe Cabinet lias to decide o n instructions to the British delegates for the resumed conference on .October 26;' ' The meeting of Cabinet may be protracted, • and may possibly be adjourned.

“CONFERENCE. MUST CONTINUE.”

RUGBY, October 17. .Although" the gravity of Germany’s decision is generally recognised, it had not led to the demand for precipitate. action. Newspapers approve of the decision reached 'at- Geneva, yesterday, that after a brief); adjournment, the Bureau and genera] comjmission should meet‘again next week: At present, there is no question of t abandoning the’ work >! of the Disarmament Conference, *and in a broadcast address at Geneva, last night Mr Henderson strongly urged it w&s vital the Conference should continue . its work and produce a genuine convention.

MR LANSBURY’S URGE,

RUGBY, October 17

Mr Lansbury, 'Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition, in a speech, urrred that the British Government . should take the lead in demanding general disarmament.- He said: “We who belong to the peace movement cannot for a moment consent to the rearmament of Germany. On this question there ought to be not the slightest division to opinion among any of us.”_