The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-05-29

IIldX Ill Tile IOIlS anu lOSlIlS
Norman H. Davis, special
representative of President
Roosevelt, in opening debate
at the long-postponed full
meeting of the conference,
made a strong bid to prevent
its threatened collapse. He
said:
1--WE are willing to join other in
terested powers in substantial, pro-
portionate reduction of naval ton
mage" he declared.
"The people of the United States
are aroused by the evils which are
being revealed in the production of
and traffic in munitions. The
American government is ready to
join in measures for SURPRISING
this evil and is prepared to negotiate
in connection with disarmament a
treaty dealing drastically with this
problem"
Reaffirming President RooSevelt'S
offer to consult with other powers
if war threatens, Mr.. Davis added:
I'VE are willing to go further and
work out by international agree
ment an effective system for the
regulation of the manufacture of
and traffic in arms and munitions
DR.. Davis foreShadowed Ger
nany's possible return to the confer-
ence, from which she walked out in
disgust last year. He expressed
hope that Germany soon would re-
sumo negotiations with other powers.
Mr.. David made a frank offer by
the United States to reduce its
naval tonnage now to forestall a
naval race before the 1885 naval
conference.
Intense Interest Aroused
The offer aroused intense interest
in view of the current preliminary
negotiations about to be held in
London, involving Japan, the United
States, Great Britain and France.
Let us go back to the British
draft convention of last June 8,
which has been accepted by all. in
Guiding Germany, as the basis of
future convention Mr.. Davis urged.
The British proposals embodied a
of 1Y-f11
Germany and general understand
ing for security measures to meet
the demands of France.
The disarmament problem is
susceptible of a practical solution"
Mr.. Davis said. ut may be re-
marked that a considerable measure
of accord has actually been reached
with respect to the technical aspect
Of armament and the kind OF dis
al mament convention that would be
effective"
Security Aims Listed
Mr.. Davis argued that security
may be attained by nation as fol-
lows:
l. BY achieving overwhelming SUI
periority Of ornaments, together
with defensive alliances.
2. BY increasing its powers of de-
Tense and simultaneously decreasing
its powers of ofense.
1.-THE United States government
believes that only by the second path
can the peace and progress of the
world and the material security of
each country be truly promoted ne
said.
Anxious as the United States is
for disarmament, however, Mr.. Davis
said this country will not participate
in any purely European political dis
puteS or settlements, nor will it
agree to the use of American troops
or warshipS for settlement of dis
putes anywhere.
I'm effect, the policy of the
United States is to keep out Of war,
but to help in every possible way to
discourage war;" Mr.. Davis declared.
Munitions Control Asked
In urging a stricter international
control of the manufacture and
sales of munitions of war, Mr..
Davis cited the recent message sent
by President Roosevelt to the sem
ate. He said the people of the
United States ARE aroused at the
evils which are being revealed in
the production and traffic of mu-
nitions of war.
"The American people and gov
eminent are convinced that by
some means the production and
traffic in engines of death, and the
profits resulting therefrom, must be
controlled or eliminated Those who
have a sordid financial interest in
fomenting international suspicion
and discord, which in turn increases
the demand for what they have to
sell, must be put in position in
which they do not have the power
or the incentive to do so much
evil"
The conference met today in an
atmosphere of pessinism and con-
fusion. The galleries were badly
crowded and hundreds milled around
the public entrance begging for
seats.