Evening star., 1934-01-31
Ban lsProPosed
on Chemical
Warfare.
FRANCE SECURE.
ROME BELIEVES
Arms Limitation for
Other Nations
Is Favored.
BY the Associated Press.

ROME. January 31-1taly came
out in favor of the rearmament
of Germany as the only practical
solution of the armamentS queS-
tionS. in an official memorandum
issued today.
This rearmament, under the
Italian plan. would be based on
status quo for other powers on
the principle aspects of their
ornaments.
The following limitations, however,
would be applied:
/ Abolition of chemical warfare.
2. Prohibition of bombardment of
civil populations.
8. Limitation at present levels of mil
itary expense, not bound by treaties in
force
a Limitation to its present size of
terrestrial equipment of these powers.
Public Opinion Cited.
Public opinion of the world is con-
vinced that the capital and practical
question is no longer to, impede German
rearmament" the memorandum said
but to avoid that. this should be ef-
fected outside the sphere of regulation
and control"
Agreement of conventions for achieve
ment of the four points could be reached
quickly, the memorandum holds. and
could be made to remain in force un
til 1910.
French Security Seen.
Italy contends France would have
ample security under such arrange
rearmament. particularly in view of the
fact she would not be called upon to
reduce her present ornaments.
The memorandum warned the ex-
treme limit of time available to break
the disarmament deadlock which has
thwarted all efforts since June, has
been reached
The question of Germany's naval
ornaments should be left over for
the next naval conference the memo
randum stated.
significant point brought out was
that acceptance of the Italian proposal
might induce Germany to return to the
League of Nations. This point. informed
circles said, was stressed to help win
France over to the plan.
Finally. the memorandum suggests
once a basis of accord is reached. a meet
ing shall be held under terms of the
four-power pact to provide for draw
ing up an agreement.
L. S. Would Be Invited.
Representatives of other major powers
Gncluding the United States were not
referred to by name, but would be
invited to sit in at such meeting.
France Germany, italy and Great
Britain are signatories of the four
power pact
Introductory portions of the memo
randum indicate that a Europe which
will be broken up into hostile groups
is feared unless something is done i'm
mediately to reach practical agree
ment.
1t was issued Immediately after Off
cial digestion of Great Britain's dis
armament memorandum to French,
German and Italian governments.
The text stated it embodies points
brought to the attention of Sir John
Simon. British foreign minister, by
Mussolini during their conversations
here early in January. urging each
government to assume full responsible
ity in the disarmament question.
Favors General Reduction.
Italy always has favored the ideal
of arms cuts, the memorandum said.
But from discussions and statements
which have marked foregoing efforts at
agreement. this Government has begun
to "nourish Well-baSed doubts that
armed powers either wish or can agree
on complete disarmament measures. the
document continued
Until the most immediate practical
step not subordinate to clauses or con-
ditionS that are already known to be
impracticable to other powers is taken,
the paper asserted. can hope for sue
cess be entertained
The communique said otherwise the
Italian government believes the question
will be smothered in useless "declara-
tions and ounter-declarations. dis
cussionS and recommendations" which
il states have done nothing to avoid
unhappV events of the past.