The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-11-17
JOHN Simon urges
ARMAMENlS
ATGENEVAPARLEY
Proposes to Allow Germans
Same Kind But Not Same
Amount Of Arms
SEVERAL DELEGATES AGREE
Says Principal Object Of Con-
ference Is to Secure Ger.
many's Return

Geneva, Nov. 17.-P-The British
foreign secretary, Sir John Simon,
proposed to the world disarmament
conference Thursday that the Ger
man demand for arms equality be
satisfied by allowing the Reich to
have the same kind of ornaments as
other nations.
The British government also pro-
posed as a part of a scheme to solve
the equality problem that all the
European states join in solemn af-
firmation that under no circum-
stances viii they attempt to resolve
any present or future differences
among them by force.
Sir John declared the limitation of
Germany'S ornaments should be
contained In the same disarmament
convention which defines limitations
on the ornaments of others.
This limitation on Germany, he
said, should operate for the same Pc
Rod and be subject to the same
methods of revision as was the case
in other countries.
"The object of the disarmament
conference" Sir John said, lis to
bring about the maximum of positive
disarmament that can be agreed
upon-not to authorize in the name
OF equality increased armed strength.
The Italian delegate announced
Italy was supporting the British
stand on equality. and President Ar
thur Henderson praised the SUCCESS
ton, expressing the hope Germany
soon would rejoin the conference.
The French delegate, Rene Mas
sigHg, then announced France stobd
by its proposals of Monday for con-
script armies in Europe and an
equality OF basis in ornaments.
Kinds-Not Amounts
In acknowledging Germany's right
to the same kind Of ornaments as
others have, Sir John said he was
speaking of kinds of arms and not
amounts, for "this latter question
must be separately and subsequently
treated"
The British delegate then pro-
ceeded to link his suggestion as to
Germany with general arms reduc-
ton proposals, which in the main
We're like those Great Britain al
ready had advanced.
American official quarters gave the
opinion that the British proposals
ought to be sufficient to prepare the
way for Germany's return to the
conference if the Germans sincerely
wish disarmament agreement.
Norman Davis, the American rep
resentative, recalled the long months
OF the disarmament conference and
its scanty results.
THE time has come to take def
mite action for the reduction and !
Limitation of ornaments" Davis said. |
He warned that the condition of the
world was critical and further delay
was dangerous.
The American said he regarded the
American, French and British pro.
posals as providing a sufficient base
Tor an early agreement on a disarm-
ament treaty.
The Russian delegate warmly Sec
onded the view that disarmament
could succeed only on the basis of
equal treatment.
IN expanding his views, Sir John
had asserted that the essential task
OF the conference was to get Ger
many to rejoin it, and that princi-
pies advanced to satisfy her claim
OF equality should apply likewise to
the ornaments Of Austria. Hungary
and Bulgaria.
Sir John proposed the often-re-
peated British point that capital
ships be reduced in size and cruisers
limited to 1000 tons.
Would Abolish Subs
He proposed submarines be abol.
ished and that tanks be limited to a
size preventing their offensive use in
battle. 1t was proposed that heavy
mobile land guns be limited to los
milimeters, the limit placed on Der
many under the Versailles treaty.
AS for air ornaments, Sir John
said: I'VE propose the entire abolition
BY international agreement Of mill
tary and naval machines and of
bombing (apart from the use Of such
machines as are necessary for police
purposes in outlying places combined
with effective international control Of
civil aviation.
Immediate reduction Of air forces
also Is proposed. leading the powers to
the level Of those Of Great Britain.
then one-third cut all around Of the
air forces Of the world thus reduced,
Great Britain's included; and the lin
ltation Of the unladen weight Of mill
tary aircraft. 1
Regarding electives, "reorganiza-
lion Of Germany's forces must not in
volve an increase In Germany's pow