Evening star., 1932-09-10
Germany Told Their Two
Governments Cannot Re-
wise Versailles Treaty.
U. S. TO RECEIVE COPY
OF NOTE AS APPROVED
Delivery in Berlin Planned for
Tomorrow-Italy Considered
Friendly to Paris View.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press
PARIS, September 10.-The Council
Of Ministers, with President Lebrln
presiding. approved unanimously today
the text Of the French reply to Ger
many's aide memoire demanding equal
ity Of armaments.
The reply, among other things, points
out the German demand calls for a re-
vision Of the Versailles treaty and such
a procedure could not be taken by
France and Germany, but should be
proposed to the League of Nations.
The text will be taken to Berlin by
a member of Premier Herriot's staff,
who viii deliver it to the French Am
bassador there tomorrow The premier
said it probably will not be published
here until Monday evening. 1t was in
dicated the American Government
would be provided with a copy of the
reply.
Note Courteous in Tone.
The note was described as extremely
courteous in tone, dealing separately
with the points raised by Germany, but
emphasizing that the proper place to
discuss this matter is Geneva, where
Germany Is member of the League Of
Nations COUNCIL
The reply also takes the position that
since disarmament discussions already
are under way at Geneva, 1t would be
improper for France to engage in BIZ
lof - av,ka
many other countries.
1t Is understood the reply recalls the
traditional doctrine that France Is dis
posed to reduce arrnamentS In proper
ton to the increase in international Sc
curity arrangements.
Bond Conversion Planned.
An official communique announced
that the cabinet had decided upon con-
version of French rentes government
bonds), and that Parliament will be as
sembled on September 16 to discuss the
measure. ~.
1t is believed parliament win favor
the undertaking in principle, but that
the Socialists, perhaps even some Of
Premier Herriot's own radicals. may IN
sist upon a formula which will not be
too big reduction in revenue for the
people as whole
A government spokesman took ex-
ception to published accounts that Italy
is backing the German demand for
equality in arms.
He said the French understanding Is
that Italy wants the lowest possible
level of armaments and is not therefore
favorable to an equality which involves
increase instead of reduction In arms,
but does favor equality on a downward
level, permitting economies to all par
ticipating nations.
Edge Calls on Herriot.
The controversy between Paris and
Berlin Is a matter of interest to the
United States, Ambassador Walter z.
Edge told Premier Herriot yesterday at
an interview attended also by Senator
David A. Reed Of Pennsylvania and j.
Theodore Mariner, counselor to the
American embassy.
The premier took advantage of the
occasion to discuss the French reply to
Germany's request for arms equality.
The United States embassy care
fully pointed out that the Ambassadors
explanation of the official American at
titude to M. Herriot was purely in
formal, since the United States is not
signatory to the Versailles treaty and
consequently has nothing to say about
its revision.
Mr.. Edge told the premier that the
United States is vitality interested in
all phases of the disarmament problem.
The Ambassador utilized Senator Reeds
visit to convey the views of Washing
ton before the French reply has been
forwarded to Berlin.