Evening star., 1932-07-01
Hoover Arms Cut Proposal
Lauded as Basis for Debate

President Hoover's arms proposal to
the nations, made public through ne
gotiations at Geneva, is generally ap-
proved by this country as a basis fo-
attempts to limit the cost of arma-
ments. The definite purpose to reduce
the means of warfare is hailed as timely
and likely to have ultimate influence.
Reduction of one-third in fighting
equipment is shown to be fair to all, be-
cause relative positions would be un-
changed Chief obstacles are those of
special demands for security, as in the
case Of France, the public believes.
In America" says the Cincinnati
TimeS-Star, disarmament has become
chiefly an economic considerations in
Europe it is also political" That paper
continues: This is especially true in
the case of France. WHICH demands Sc
curity before it will disaTm further:
and it is this circumstance which
makes the disarmament problem so
difficult. Apparently there is little use
in talking disarmament until the polit-
ical unrest and suspicion in Europe Is
allayed; yet, paradoxically, it is pre-
cisely because Europe has failed to dis
arm that this suspicion and unrest con-
tinue Perhaps the Hoover proposal is
the spearhead which will pierce this
vicious circle"
1T is to be hoped" says the Dayton
Daily News, that the proposals will
turn out to De so fair in their effort to
limit war to defensive action only. that
the Geneva conference will be galVan-
ized into useful life" The French atti-
tude is attacked by the Buffalo Evening
News with the statement that no
weakness in armies or armaments is so
serious a handicap to national defense
as weakness in financial power" and
that "a reduction in military expendi-
lures and corresponding improvement
in general financial conditions would
increase the security of France, as of
every other nation"
Practical results appeal to the San
Antonio Express, which declares as to
the effect Of the Hoover plan: The
President estimates that acceptance of
his scheme-Which would reduce by
one-third the so-called defense COM
ponents of all armies-as distinguished
from police components-and the other
cuts suggested, would save the worlds
peoples $4,000 600 900 to $4,000. .000,-
coo during the next 10 years Thus.
the United States puts forward a plan
which would strengthen the Kellogg
BRAND anti-war compact"
French rejection of the program
makes discussion of its provisions some
what academic" thinks the New York
sun, and that paper adds: The essence
of the proposal is that it seeks TO IN
crease the strength of the defense at
the expense of the attack. This. it
might be thought. would particularly
recommend it to the French, but NJ.
PAUL. -Boncour's absolutely unacceptable
admits of no misunderstanding. prom
ises no concessions. foreshadows no
compromise. There has been little en-
cCuraging news from Geneva this year.
Proposals have been specific. Upon q
few points the minds of nations, as of
men, seemed to meet, but so far az
appreciable progress toward a material
reduction Of armament is concerned
the conference has produced nothing
and promises to produce little"
X K
THE United States has issued no
ultimatum to the powers" argues the
Chicago Daily News, quoting Mr..
Hoover's statement of desire ito reduce
the Overwhelming burden which MAIN
tenance of the present scale of arma-
msnts throws on the toilers of the
world" The Daily News holds that
the toilers will not be deceived by
sophistieal objections to an honest plan
that promises relief" and that these
proposals, IF approved and given effect
might be followed by suggestions from
Europe in regard to commercial CO.
operation and recovery of lost markets
and trade opportunities.
Ultimate action on armament reduc-
tion is thought likely by the Oakland
Tribune and the San Francisco Chron-