Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-12

dGANOAAs AI1Cab 1A4bAAlls G41a OlEA4OA
Scialoja. Italy, expressed the same opin-
ion as Mr.. Curtius.
More or less discouraged at the delays
at Geneva, Mr.. Curtius returned 70 Ger
many, and last November 90 he told
the Reichsrat that while Germany had
logically and steadily pursued a straight
course, with increasing support from
other countries, the French government
is leaving 1.-The ground which, since
1919, has formed the basis of all dis
armament negotiations" This had ref
erence to the French delegation's init
nation that there could be no question
Of a German treaty right to general dis
armament, that the obligation Of the
conquered is q matter for the free
choice of the victor"
If the wording Of treaties has any
meaning" remarked DR. Curtius. after
quoting many documents, including the
League Covenant and the Locarno
Treaties, "all this can only mean that,
after Germany has fulfilled the prelim-
mary condition, the prescribed sequel,
general disarmament, must follow"
He deprecated the apparent inten-
ton to strike at the basis of all nego-
tiations Of the last 10 years, adding that
lit is not only question of the legal
claim Of Germany but Of one Of the
most vital tasks Of the league, whose
future and very existence would be en-
dangered if it proved incapable of solV-
ing the disarmament problem {.
Never, even in the time of absolute mil
itary might, when France and her allies
dictated the Versailles treaty, had the
despotism of the victor demanded that
the one-Sided disarmament CT Germany
should be perpetuated. The raising of
such demands II years after peace will
have incalculable results"
AS his final word in the Preparatory
Commission, Count BerI1storf reminded
the members that 1.-The peolpes are now
turning their gaze toward the future
conference. For the conference will
afford the very last opportunity Of
achieving the final goal Of disarmament
for which the German government will
work ceaSeleSsly and with all its
strength The conference will be
faced with a historic task-it will have
to approach the problem in an entirely
different way from that chosen hitherto,
and to achieve ideal-the true security
of peace. The peoples must not
for moment lose sight of the grave
dangers which might arise II, in the
end, the work of disarmament failed"
At Odds with Commission.
For the last two years the German
government has sharply differed with
the course taken by the Preparatory
Commission, because 1t thought that
each year the path being followed by
the commission was leading it farther
and farther away from its original aim.
In the draft convention prepared by
the commission Germany contended
that the most essential factors of real
land disarmament were omitted one
after the other. The scheme for dis
armament prepared by the commission
is regarded by the Germans as at most
q sterilization Of the existing situation
as regards ornaments. The Germans
insist that it even permits, to GER
tain extent, an increase. Actually the
unwelcome draft was finally linked up
with q new confirmation Of the state
of disarmament imposed upon Ger
many by the treaties.
In regulating this Count BeTnstorff.
in the 1880 Assembly held in Septem-
Der, demanded for Germany equality as
regards security. In January OF this
wear DR.. Curtius warned the League
that 1.-THE disarmament conference can
not possibly achieve any acceptable re-
suits unless, before fixing the figures,
it thoroughly revtses the methods at
present contemplated. 1t should, more
over, be guided by the fundamental
principle Of the League Of Nations; that
is TO say, the equality Of all its members.
Demand Security.
"The conference should not be al
lowed to set security over against In
security, threats over against trnpo-
tence. If the League OF Nations
abandons this principle lof equality 1t
will betray its trust, which Is TO obtain,
by means of disarmament, security for
all its members: it viii be failing in its
mission Of peace; it will endanger It's
own existence and lose its raison d'etre. !"
To the ReichStag, in February OF this
year, DR.. Curtius would make no
prophecies of the outcome Of the COM
ing conference, but he remarked: what
is decisive for us is that We have q
clear legal claim 10 general disarma-
ment and that we shall not reconcile
ourselves to yet further postponenent
of its fulfillment. Conviction of our
right has gained ground step by step.
Only yesterday February 81 the Brit
ish foreign secretary declared that every
member of the League was pledged In
law and honor to diSarm. Now deeds
must follow words. We demand the
same measure of security that the
other countries claim for themselves.
The adjustment of che inequality of
ornaments is not only treaty obliga-
ton, but is absolutely essential for the
achievement of tranquility and Sc
curity of Europe"
own plan for the fulfillment Of this pur-
pose.
tcopyright, 1881. by the North American
Alliance. !