The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-11-17
BRITAIN URGES
BERLIN AID IN
ARMS FARLEY
Germany Invited to Join in
Conference on Basis of
Equality for All.
SUBMARINE BAN ASKED
Limitation of Air and Sea
Fighting Also Part of
Program.
BY STEWART BROWN
United Press stan Correspondent

GENEVA, Nov. 17.-Sir John
Simon, British foreign secretary, in
vited Germany back to the world
disarmament conference today on
the basis of recognition of the prin-
ciple of armament equality for all
nations
The British proposals provide that
the present limitation of German
ornaments under the Versailles
treaty be superseded by a new con-
vention. and that German limita-
ton would be arrived at by the
same process and expressed in the
same document at those of all other
countries"
Sir John proposed that Germany
have the legal right to possess all
weapons granted other powers under
system Of disarmament by stages.
Addressing Sthe steering commit
tee of the conference, the foreign
secretary suggested that Germany
return to the conference on the
basis of the following points:
All European states should join in
solemn affirmation not under any
circumstances to attempt to solve
any present or future difficulties by
force.
Arms Limitation Urged
Limitation of Germany's arma-
ments will be contained in the same
disarmament convention (to be
framed by the present conference)
as that in which limitation for other
nations is defined.
Limitation of German arms will
last for the same period and be sub
Ject- to the same revision as that
Of other countries.
Germany should be granted the
legal right to arms permitted other
countries, on condition of no re-
armament.
Sir John proposed that air forces
be reduced to the British level
ne said the United Kingdom ranked
fifth in this branch of the service
and then be further reduced by a
one-third all around cut.
He proposed limitation of battle
ships to 10000 tons, reduction of size
OF cruisers, abolition of submarines
and limitation of the weight of
tanks.
Would Give Germans Tanks
He said Germany must not in
crease her total naval tonnage un-
Ger the Versailles treaty, if her
lO,OOO-ton unit limitation is lifted.
Sir John proposed that Germany
have the legal right to tanks, but
that the reich refrain from asking
Tor military or naval aircraft at
present.
BY what means and what stages
these principles can be applied must
be the subject of detailed discus
sion, in which it is essential that
Germany join," the foreign secre-
tary said.
Like HOover's Proposal
The principle of equality can not
be changed all at once" Sir John
said. He declared that Germany
should be allowed to reorganize her
military forces, but this must not
involve any increase in Germanys
powers of military aggression"
The foreign secretary said Great
Britain was impressed favorably
with President Herbert Hoover's
suggestions regarding limitation of
military electives, and was prepared
to accept them in principle as the
basis of discussion.
Sir John praised the "thorough-
ness and sincerity" of the new
French disarmament plan.
He noted that the plan would in
volve modification of one of the
clauses of the Versailles treaty,
which itself aims at applying the
principle of equality"