Evening star., 1933-10-08
j. s. MOVE needed
FOR ARMS SUCCESS
Representation to Hitler Con-
sidered Only Means to
Save ParIey.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

An Americans representation to the
Hitler government against the rearm-
ing of Germany was considered yes
terday in diplomatic quarters possible
in order to save the Limitation OF
Arms Conference from being completely
wrecked.
American high officials expressed
feeling of alarm at the news that the
German government has served notice
on British, Italian and American rep
resentatives that Germany would begin
rearming at once, unless the other
countries bring their own ornaments
to Germany's level.
This formal notice caused deep
impression all over the world and In
Britain, Stanley Baldwin, the leader OF
the Conservative party, made an i'm
portant declaration, stating that Great
Britain would stand by all her solemn
engagements, including the Locarno
agreement, in order to prevent new
armament race in the world.
Ss .. SOuiu nuu WV
Although Paldwin's declaration has
created q sensation in Europe, 1t is felt
that the. action of the British lord
president of the council would be con-
siderably strengthened if some official
expression of disapproval of Germany's
intentions were made by the American
government
fta I,o;y Drnc o.
Welt and Secretary Cordell Hull have
refrained from making any public COM
mentS on this new development. but II
Is commonly known that the German
demand does not meet in any way the
approval of the administration.
The policy of the United States re-
gardlng ornaments, was clearly SET
forth by the President in April, when
he stated that the Government OF this
country is seriously striving to bring
about substantial limitation OF arma-
ments. and does not look with favor
towards any re-armament proposition
from whatever quarters it may come
Taking this as the basic policy OF the
United States, Ambassador Norman,
Davis has endeavored to cooperate
with the other nations to bring about
a successful conclusion of the Geneva
Conference by limiting existing arnla-
ments, rather than increasing them.
1t is felt in official quarters that II
the Germans prove adamant in their
request for rearming, even construct
\ ing so-called token" war implements
kenied to them by the Versailles treaty.
United States Government might
The attention Of the Berlin gov
ernment that such move IS inter-
nreted here as disregarding the first
of (ypYmqn-
American peace treaty signed In 1871.
Bans Offensive Weapons.
That treaty, while completely indie
nendent of the Versailles treaty, has
SUBSTANTIALLY incorporated all the
clauses of section of that agreement,
which provides that Germany cannot
posseS offensive weapons.
II is not expected that the United
states will act officially in conjunction
with the other powers, since IL IS not
IA asnatory of the Versailles treaty, but
|Hir is expected that the State Depart
n mnt will take the necessary steps to
mepnt a rearming of Germany on the
hass of the American-German peace
tay.
A In foreign diplomatic quarters 1t is
beseved that only such a step could
prevent the breakdown OF the Geneva
Conference.
The Steering Committee of the Limi-
tation of Arms Conference will meet
tomorrow afternoon in a tense and
ominous atmosphere.
Before that committee stands the
French proposal, indorsed by the
American, French and Italian dele
gates. whereby it is proposed that for
a period Of four years none OF the sig
natories of a limitation of arms agree
ment should increase their armaments.
At the end of this period there should
be a gradual reduction OF the present
existing war weapons. 1t also prOVloes
the setting up of a rigid control ma
chinery to see that all the s1gnatorleS
of such an agreement fulfill honestly
their engagements.
This proposal has been carefully
studied and discussed by all the inter-
ested powers. AS result OF that study,
the German governml has felt that
it does not constitute an actual dis
armament and it has informed the
principal powers that unless they reduce
their own military establishments to the
level of Germany, she would consider
herself freed of the clauses of the Yer
sailles treaty and begin Immediately
the construction of some Of the essential
offensive weapons such as alrplanes,
heavy artillery and tanks. The, Ger
mans asserted that they would IKE to
obtain officially the permission of the
signatures of the Versailles treaty for
such right. but have indicated that
should this not be forthcoming they will
proceed to re-arm. regardless of what
the signatories of the Versailles treaty
may think or say.
End Of Effort Seen.
This point of view is regarded in all
the chancellories in Europe and by the
State Department as the beginning Of
the end of all the efforts made during
the last 10 years to bring about sys-
tematic reduction of armaments.
On the other hand, all reports from
Europe indicate that France and her
allies may consider this direct chal-
lenge to the Versailles treaty and as
threat to them.
There is serious apprehension in Europe
today that should the Germans insist
on their claim to rearm. France may
consider it necessary to take the law
into her own hands and some drastic de
fensive" action against Germany. In
the present state of tension, which ex-
lists in Europe such an action is con-
sidered as leading inevitably to new
European. if not world war with in
calculably graver consequences than the
World War
1t is for this reason that the govern
mentS of the principal powers are trying
at the present moment to put all avail
able diplomatic pressure on Germany in
order to prevent the reoccurrence of
such a calamity