New Britain herald., 1929-04-17
TURN DOWN SOVIET
 PROGRAM 0N ARMS
(Continued from First Page)
ee should meet in Geneva on June
Russian Defends Plan

tee should meet in Geneva on June Is.
 Russian Defends Plan
 General Alexander Langovov, Rus sian military expert, in defending and explaining his country's propos- als, pleaded for a maximum of l0,- 900 tons displacement for warships as against 35,o0o tons fixed by the Washington conference. He charged that the 10000 ton cruisers being constructed now when they take the sea will have displacement of IT, 900 tons.
 The Soviet proposals he explained as having four points:
 First:-Reduction instead of mere limitation of armaments.
 Second:-Extensive reduction of the armaments of larger countries but lesser reductions for smaller na- tions.
 Third: d:-Destruction of offensive armaments while purely defensive armaments are left untouched.
 Fourth:-Consolidation of peace- ful positions of the nations.
 He called attention to the limit Of 10000 tons set for German war; ships by the allies and said there action proved that size was as large as was needed for defense, and small enough to restrain owners from ag- gressive warfare.
 Flaw in Warship Treaty
 General Langovov declared tho method of limitation of tonnage elaborated by the Russian govern ment would present derogations which he insisted the system fixed by the Washington treaty permitted. He alleged that when the 10.000-ton cruisers took to sea they really dis placed 14.00O tons.
 Tn limiting the calibre of guns of warships. renouncing airplane combat and prolonging the life of warships. we weaken the destructive force of naval warfare and diminish the budgets of navies." he said. "In proposing the immediate ccrap- ping of airplane- carriers and the gradual replacement of enormous warships by ships of 10000 tons we suggest that this be achieved by 1922. the date by which certain of the powers must replace their old chips under the terms of the Wash ington treaty"
 Referring to submarines, General Langovov explained that the abolish- ment of undersea vessels was not proposed until total disarmament vas feasible. but the Russian plan wanted them reduced to defensive proportions.
 Japan in Opposition
 N. sato of Japan, the first speak, CT. said he wanted to comment on the Soviet plan submitted by a state with which Japan had friendly re. lations" but wanted to recall in the most friendly manner that under the league covenant countries were only called upon to reduce their arma- ments to minimum compatible with their national security.
 He opposed the Soviet project on the ground that it was too mathe. WotSAi anu lAlleU 10 give SuHlCleNt attention to the special positions of various countries. or the necessities Of their defense growing out of spe- cial geographical situations. The Japanese delegate also opposed the project because it provided for ac. tual reductions. whereas this cues. tion of figures should be left to the forthcoming international confer. ence. He declared the preparatory commission was merely empowered to build the technical structure for . conference and appealed to Nj. Lit vinon not to insist upon fixing the figures of armaments, believing this would hasten an accord.
 Germany Statcs Views
 Germany through Count Won Bernstorn approved the fundamental ideas of the Soviet plan. but agreed with the Japanese that the question Of figures should be left to the later international conference. He urged giving closer examination to the Sov- jet principles because they pointed the way to genuine reductions. eiim- mated inequalities now existing fin the armaments of the powers by levellins armamente. lessened the possibilities of agreasion and protect