More Disarmament Proposals
The Conference itself has now ended its preliminary general discussion, the chief contribution in the past week being Germany's proposals. Their main lines were obvious. Germany, being deprived of all aggressive weapons herself, naturally demands a like renunciation by all other States. Her proposals in that field, therefore, were practically identical with the Italian, with the exception that Germany does not, like Italy, France and other countries, desire the internationalization of civil aviation. The reasons for that can hardly be exposed to a Disarmament Conference. In addition, Herr Nadolny, the chief German delegate, proposed the abolition of con- scription, or, failing that, some limitation, not clearly ex- plained, of trained reserves, and the destruction of such fortresses as threaten a neighbouring country, including those commanding natural waterways. The British dele- gation has submitted formally the proposals Sir John Simon embodied in his conference speech, the main points being the abolition of submarines, some limitation of the size of ships and the calibre of both land and naval guns, and limitation of effectives under conscription systems, failing the total abolition of conscription. What must be the ultimately critical stage of the conference is now beginning.
* * * *
Previous page
