Evening star., 1933-09-24
British Hope for Success
At Disarmament Parley
BY A, G. GARDINER.

LONDON, September 23-While
popular interest here and all over the
Continent is centered on the drama
which opened at Leipzig Thursday
the trial of the men charged with at
tempting to burn the Reichstag-politi
cal circles are preoccupled with the
question whether the Disarmament Con-
ference can be saved. The prospect ad-
mittedly is graver than when the con-
ference adjourned, owing to the course
Of events in Germany. especially the
growing volume of evidence of rearua-
ment.
The British cabinet was hastily sum-
moned Wednesday to consider the re-
suits Of conversations between the
British and French foreign ministers at
Paris Monday. After the meeting For
e!gn Minister Simon left for Paris,
where he had conferences with Nor
man Davis, the American Ambassador
at Large. before proceeding to Geneva
for the opening Of the League Of Ma
tions Council on Friday.
1t is understood that the negotiations
this week revealed a hopeful advance
on the part of the French in re-
spect to the scaling down of arma-
ments. It is assured that they for the
first time indicated how far they were
prepared to 60 in actual disarmament,
what time table they propose and the
machinery they regard as necessary.
The problem which faces the confer
snce Is threefold:
I. Can the armaments Of al ooun.
tzies be temporarily stabilized ct the
present size?
:. Having reached this agreement,
q -
vision be devised which will guarantee
that limitations are not being ex-
ceeded?
3. Given these agreements, within
what period and on what scale can &C
tive measures Of disarmament be &C
complished?
The American view is that II there
is to be q trial period subject to in
spection and supervision. it should be
agreed beforehand what amount Of dis
armament should be attained by the
end of the period. This also is the
British view. The French prefer not to
qualify the trial period in this way, but
the conversations this week give reason
to believe that French concessions on
this point are probable.
If France yields on this issue, Britain IS
unlikely to persist in opposition to the
French method of supervision. This at
the moment is the most critical phase
Of the problem. The French propose
that the permanent Disarmament Com
mission when established shall arrange
for regular inspections, involving in
vestigation Of each state once every six
months. The British proposal is that
investigation Of alleged infractions Of
the convention shall only take place at
the request Of one or more of the high
contracting parties. France rejects this,
and public opinion both here and on
the Continent strongly indorses the
French view.
It is argued that the British propeszi
would certainly lead to- friction. 1t
would involve accusation by one nation
Of bad faith on the part of another and
create an atmosphere of suspicion and
distrust The French method in max
ing the supervision regular, normal and
automatic would lift the whole process
above suspicion and avoid the appear
ance Of q clash between particular
states. A further factor is that Ger
many has declared her readiness to ac-
cept a measure of supervision, provided
It is fair and equal and extended to all
states. with france ana Germany IL
practical agreement, it Is inconcetvable
that the British proposal should be per-
sisted in except as bargaining counter
for getting the best possible terms Of
disarmament from France.
Another question being discussed is
whether it IS desirable or practicable TO
inflict penalties upon q state found
guilty OF violating the convention BY
exceeding the limits imposed. and, If
so, what should the penalties be. This,
however, must be postponed until agree
ment Is reached on the three main
issues.
Can an agreement be reached? Bad
as the outlook Is, 1t Is not impossible.
With Great Britain, France and italy
in practical sympathy and with the
backing Of America and all neutral
states for the project Germany even IN
her present mood hfrdly can Eisk 10.
(Copyf1xiaA lA3aI