THE BRITISH VIEW

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 664, 17 October 1933, Page 5

THE BRITISH VIEW

(British Official "Wireless.) j

USELESS TO CONTINUE • GLOSSING OVER * DIFFICULTIES U.S.A. WANTS ACTION '

Rugby, October 15. Sir John Simon, in his statemient to the Bureau of the Disar'mamient Conference, said that in speaking of the new re-armament he did not mean to dispute the reasonableness of the claims that the transformation of the German Reichwehr into a short-service army, even of twice the present numerical strength, would have the effect of reducing its quality and discipline. "Grfeat Bi'itain earnestly desired to establish, by international agreement, a condition of equality of status, " Sir John said. He felt that he could speak plainly and frankly, for~the time had gone by for glossing over difficulties by vague optimistic utteranees. A system of disarmament frankly entered dnto and loyally earried out would be of the greatest value to the world, and it was equally clear that nothing was to be gained by interminable discussions which did not face tbe essential matters on which differenees still existed. Sir J ohn Simon added that Mr. Henderson had suggested that a permanent Disarmament Commissiofi might be set up as soon as the convention was signed, without waiting for its ratification. "If this sug&estion is found to be feasible," added Sir John, "it should be welcome, for it aims at shortening tho period of actual disarmament and the period in which equality will be effectively reached. It is a matter of close consideration to determine how much of the eight years will be needed for the initial steps. The transformation of the armies involved teclmical questions which would -move to time-tables, and in the meantime a real feeling of confidence should develop and the day be brought nearer when the whole plan is agreed to and is in due process of execution. "Without binding myself finally to tho length of the first stage I repeat that a period of four years was mentioned by several Governments, although others have raised the question whether it should not be somewhat shortened. Whatever the length of the first stage may be it is essential to make it clear that the Convention itself should contain at the time of its signature a detailed scheme of disarmament provided for as the first result to be obtained by its full period of say, eight years, comes to an end. "The result of the abolition of various kinds of armament, and of prohibitions against their further ■use, will be to constitute a common list of permitted arms, which would beconie the same for all countries and thus the differential position of the Powers whose armaments are limited by peace treaty would finally cease." Mr. Norman Davis (United States) said the United States called for an immediate decision — quantitative equality in armaments should primarily be sought through a reduction in the armaments of the heavilyarmed powers and not through atiempts of other nations to build up o their level. ■Signor Di Sorgana (Italy) said aly approved in the main of Sir bhn Simons' views. Control Necessary M. Boncour (France) insisted on the necessity of control and indicated it was the view of the French Government that a trial period of four years was certainly necessary. It was not only justified by the uncertainty of the present political situation, but as a test of the value of control. The aim of the convention was not only to prevent any nation from re-arming, but to make other powers disarm. That was the only possible- way to reach equality of status between nations. The German View Herr Ivheinbaden (Germany) said: "The views of my Government are well lcnown. Two principles are involved. The first is effective and substantial disarmament and the second the full and immediate application of the principle of equality of lights. "As for the second principle np discussion should be possible; its justico is self evident. "As to the first, the discussion now centres upon quantitative disarmament, and it is simply and purely a cuestion of figures."