ARMS EMBARGO

Rotorua Morning Post, 1 March 1933, Page 5

ARMS EMBARGO

BRITISH DECISION . FOREIGN SECRETARY SAYS EXPORT WILL BE STOPPED WAR ON NO ACCOUNT ' (British OfBcial ""Yireless) - Rec. Feb. 28. Rugby, Fehruary 27. The situation in .the Far East and the proposal for an embargo on th'e export .of arms were the subject of an important statement by the Foreign Secretary, Sir John Simon, in the House >of Commons. He said the basis upon which Britain ought to proceed was to remain good friends with both China antk Japan, and he wanted to; do everything he could to induce the parties to reach a method of conciliation. Lord Lytton and his colleagues had endeavoured to produce a balanced judgment, and 40 nations had proj nounced their unanimous approval of . j the report of a perfectly fair comj mission. That was a fact immense in | the history of the world. I . ■

It was natural that a demand should arise calling for action which would prevent the sustairing, fostering and fermenting of eonflict by the supply of arms. The supplying of arms could only be effectively and finally stopped by international agreement. Unlike moist other countries, Sir John added, Britain had a machine which could be used. He understood the .United States Executive had no power to prevent exports at present, but he was glad to .see that the Seniate had suggested legislation to confer such powers on the President. The British Government was awaiting a reply from half-a-dozen of the principal arms-pi'oducing countries, as to what could be done by way of an international agreement. At the very hest it would take some time to get enough' information ito. "know whether an international decision was possible. British Propositiosi. Meanwhile, Sir John laid down this proposition from which the Government would not budge, namely, that it was impractical for a single country, acting* alcne, to differentiate between one combatant and another.

We have done everything m our power to hasten 'nternational consideration of the subject, and pending that consideration, as from now on we believe any effort and any sacrifice is worth making which will reduce the risk of widening the field of conflict. "Existing contracts, already entered into must be respected, but, subject to this, we have decided' as from to-day, and pending the opportunity of international consulation and decision such as I hope for, that the Government will not authorise or issue licenses for the export to either China or Japan of any of the artiqles mentioned in the Arms Export Prohibition Order of 1931. "It will ' the fi**st time, so far as I know, in which any neuttral Government which manufactures arms has taken positive action of this klnd in reference to distant conflict with which we do not mean to concern oUrselves."