The Problem of Aggressive Weapons
The Disarmament Conference, having worked its way through a few necessary preliminaries—deciding, for example, that the method of-reduction by stages, with as large an instalment as possible to begin with, must be followed—is now at grips with what is the real heart of its problem, the choice between abolishing aggressive weapons and internationalizing them. If France were prepared to abandon the internationalization plan in part, and agree to the abolition of, at any rate, certain categories of weapons, the Conference would have a measure of suc- cess immediately in sight, for the feeling in other quarters in favour of eliminating weapons designed essentially for aggression is increasingly strong. The proposals the United States and Great Britain have put ,forward as a first instalment will not in themselves command :general support, for Germany, Italy and other States accept them only as part of a larger programme, which involves inter aims the sacrifice of capital ships. But a modification of Signor Grandi's original proposals eases the situation here considerably. - Italy is now suggesting that abolition should be spread over a period of years, which (if ten years were the period chosen) would mean simply that existing ships would live their natural lives and not be replaced at the end of them. Only the ' Nelson' and ' Rodney ' would vanish a year or two before their time. Altogether, under preSsure of the economic stringency, the prospect at Geneva is reasonably hopeful.
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