Evening star., 1933-04-28
u. S. BACKS BRITISH
ARMS LIMITATION
Davis Reveals Support Af;er
Germany Demands Fur
ther Equality.
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
GENEVA, April 28-The United
States dramatically allied herself with
Britain today at the World Disarma-
ment Conference when Norman H.
Davis announced that the American
delegation would oppose any attempt to
weaken the draft arms convention pre-
pared by the British.
The American ambassador at large
said he regarded the British draft
treaty as a very valuable contribution
and a definite step toward limitation of
armaments.
He added that the United States
looked upon it merely as the first step
in disarmament, indicating that others
must follow until ornaments are
brought down to their proper level.
Against Any Weakening.
"The plan does not go so far in lin
iting armed forces as we would like, u
Mr.. Davis said. Nevertheless, we feel
that our efforts should be concentrated
on adopting the plan as a whole with
out modification which would leopard
ize it."
After making an earnest appeal to
all delegations to consider the prob
lem in a spirit of Cancellation, the
American spokesman continued:
I'VE will join all delegations in op-
posing any amendments which will
weaken the British plan and endanger
the success of the conference"
Capt. Robert Eden, speaking for Great
Britain, expressed deep appreciation of
the generous terms with which Amer
lea welcomed the British project.
He added that Britain would cordially
cooperate with those who desire to go
further in the reduction of armaments
than is provided for in the convention
Mr.. Davis declaration of support for
the British project was interpreted as
taclt notice to Germany that the United
States would oppose German amend
ments offered earlier in the day il
1t was found that those amendments
weakened or jeopardized the British
draft.
Reich Opposes Limits.
Davis announcement came after Ger.
many gave concrete expression to hel
demand for equality in armaments
when she filed series of amendments
to the draft convention.
These indicated dissatisfaction with
the size of the army accorded to Ger
many. Germany insisted it must get
an the weapons OF defense allocated to
other nations.
Germany said that German military
organizations must be adapted to insure
safety of Germany against attack and
that this German security must be pro-
portlonately as strong as that of other
nations.
This amendment was generally in
terpreted to mean that Germany re-
fuses to accept an army of 100000, as
mentioned in the draft, while France
gets 100000, including 100000 colonial
forces, and Poland gets total of 300
900.
Making an allusion to the French
troops stationed in Morocco and AL
giers. Germany said any calculation on
available arms strength should take
into account the nearness of colonial
troops to the mother country.
Reichswehr Meets Needs.
simultaneously Germany threw cold
water on the French proposal for a
uniform system of short term service
in armies on the European continent
by declaring the time was not ripe
to discuss uniformity. Germany sug-
gested that a permanent disarmament
commission discuss this problem in the
future
The German spokesman said the
ReichsWehr which was imposed on his
country by the allies, at present answers
Germany's purpose just as the per-
manent American and British armies
answer American and British needs
The Versailles treaty limits the
Reichswehr to 100000 troops.
Germany asked the strengthening OF
the draft disarmament convention by
more extensive prohibition of offensive
weapons and by provision for their
destruction.