Evening star., 1933-05-15
BY CoNsTANTIN Won NEURATH,

German Minister for Foreign Affairs.
BERLIN, May Is N.A.N.Ao.-The
second phase of the Disarmament Con-
ference in Geneva has been brought to
an end. Its proceedings were marked
by a mood OF increased nervousness,
engendered by the fact dellDelatlonS
had shifted more into the political fleld
than was the case throughout the flrst
phase. while the technical aspects OF
the problem receded into the pacK-
ground.
This course of affairs surprised no
one following the flve-power declara-
ton of December II, 1882, in which
Germany's claim to equality, coming as
it did after term of 10 years waiting.
was at last recognized in principle.
This recognition caused an abandon
ment by Germany of the grounds upon
which. on July %, she had decided to
refrain from further participation in
the work of the conference.
Looking back. one can only deplore
the loss of precious months caused in
the first instance by the resistance put
up by the signatory powers to the YER
sailles Treaty.
To all intents and purposes, Ger
many's whole disarmament policy can
and must of necessity now be directed
to the task of seeing that this recognl-
tion, in principle, is given practical
realization and is advanced from an
"egalite de droit' to an "egalite de
fait."
Play on Words Assailed.
Unfortunately, great deal of mis-
chief has been caused by this play upon
words. 1t is even maintained that by
recognizing an egalite de droit, Ger
manyS claim has been satisfactorily
met, while an egalite de fait, viewed
as tantamount to a heavy arming OF
Germany, is regarded as out OF the
question.
What Germany understands by this
term egalite de fait. how she views the
matter of a practical realization OF
equality. has been explained on count
less occasions by responsible members
of all German governments-fulfl-
ment of the obligation to disarm, SOL
emnly undertaken in the Versailles
Treaty as consequence OF German
disarmament and redemption OF the
pledge made to the German nation
by its war enemies to reduce their
ornaments to the standard set by Ger
man disarmament.
On the other hand. German disarm-
ament policy permits no doubt that
practical application of the principle
of equality will be realized all the more
easily the more strongly the will to
disarm is displayed by the other pow
erS. In other words, an adaptation OF
the system of German national de-
tense to the sphere of general disarm-
ament depends in the first instance
upon how far the other countries are
prepared to disarm to the extent to
which Germany is disarmed.
GermanyS army, naval and air ma
o,otiro1v fpcfrnUad within
period of two years after the end OF
hostilities in accordance with the stipu-
lations of the armistice and the YER
sailles treaty Her fortreSses were dis
mantIed or have remained in the con-
dition in which they were in 1918; her
army was reduced to 100000 men, an
army without reserves either OF per
sonnel or material and completely
barred from possessing any heavy
material Despite this progressive mill
tary powerlessness Of Germany. her
neighbors have gone on steadily IN
creasing their arnlaments.
Facing the unprotected German from
tier. which is defended by only few
antiouated forts, there stretches in the
East and in the West a wall OF concrete
and iron, whose very latest armament
is able to let loose a devastating bonn
bardment.
Security Dispute Cited.
Let us remember that two years after
the close of the Franco-Prussian War,
the French Army had not only attained
to the strength of the German Army
but had already begun to outstrip it.
Here we recognize the magnanimity
and the chivalry of the victor of 1871,
as well as the tremendous will for peace
and for reconciliation which pervaded
the German people during these last
years and enabled it to endure such
state of defenselessness in the midst
of heavily-armed neighbors.
The dispute over security has pois.
oned every attempt up to now to find
a solution for the disarmament prob
lem. It nullified the five years labor
Of the Preparatory Disarmament Com