British Reply: Wrong Time to Initiate an Acute Political Controversy Paris, Sept, 14. over Germany's demand for equality 5 ihe, international esaverations St armaments were oatied' a her step forward to-day when the Sapaese Ambassador, Mie, Nagaok, long conference with Mi. Herriot, ea the from Ger. many's claim and its rejection by France in still receiving the artention of the British Foreign Seevet ary, Six John Simon, who. ans all along followed the matter with close interest—Reuter, London, Sept. 16, Recognition of Germany's claim to military. equality was strongly urged by Viscount Cecil, the archapostle of Disarmament, and by Mr. Arthur Henderson, Chairman of the Disarmament Conference, at luncheon given in the latter's honour in London to-day.
Lord Cecil declared that Germany's claim was irresistible and must be realised by reducing the armaments of other states and not of Versailles," and that this throws up the question of its future reactions on Germany. It is further! recalled that the German Government considers only one solution as acceptable, namely' that all States should in regard to disarmaments be restricted by the same rules and principles and that no State should be exempted therefrom.
No one can expect Germany, s0 the letter continues, to tale further part in the negotiations so long as Jan understanding has "not been. reached that the formulas to. adopted by the Conference will apply equally to Germany. In order to regulate this question as smoothly. jas possible Germany has made many tempts to reach a solution by! diplomatic means but so. far unfortunately without any satisfactory Under these circumstances the JGerman Foreign Minister regrets to have to notify the Chairman of the Conference of Germany's inability to accede to the invitation to participate in the session of the Executive Committee scheduled for of Sign been endorsed by Signor Mus-and these combined with President Hoover's suggestion, for drastic, cut, in armaments, were certain of overwhelming acceptance n'ane contin, namely that they should be whole-heartedly support the British Government.
"The world awaits leadership from Britain," asserted Lord Cecil, who protested against secret dis Mr. Aithut Henderson sai cannot bring myself we that the statement who will assemble at Geneva in the next fow days are prepared to take the responsibility "of encouraging a competitive race in armaments: and tthe inevitable danger of war ar! ing from the existence of lar armies, navies and air forces. The apprehension that exists in no why inser surprise, but I do not full share this apprehension because convinced that a failure of this Disarmament Conference would be a veritable disaster, in the life of Europe and the world. I refuse to contemplate failure."
Referring to Germany's equality claim, Mfr, Henderson thought they could' go forward with their work next week, fooling that with geod will and conciliation this incident could be got tied to the advantage of Germany and the other wed countries bat of Europe inno to follow with interest the labours of the Confer-vance and will take whatever deci-may become advisable according to the course of events.—Trans-Ocean Kuo Min, Sept. 17.
Baron von Neurath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, yesterday com municated the German reply. to France's note on arma equality to M, Andre Francole-Poncet.
the nature of the communication made to the French envoy was made lelear ina communique issued through the "semi-official Wolf Agency as follo it is learned-from an authoritative source that Germany will not make any written reply to the French note received last Sunday. [The German Government regrets to Inote that the French reply does not directly tackle the problem of dis-Jarmament nor does it reveal any point "on which a. rapprochement might be effected with the Germa standpoint outlined in the memoran-Jdum of August 29.
"The Government of the Reich lof notes but naturally remains ready to exchange views through verbal] conversations. The Minister of Forjelgn Affairs has outlined this stand to the French Ambassador. Other governments involved in the matter have similarly been informed by the Reich Government.""—Havas, Berlin, Sept, 16.
Paris, Sept. 15.
'A speech was delivered by the Reich Chancellor Von Papen, yer-thesis en the rights.
"The one-sided disarmament," hho said, "which was forced upon Germany by the Versailles Treaty, placed the "Reich ina position Inferiority, and is gravely -compromising' the country's security. Germany's disarmament. was supposed ta be the forerunner of general, disarmament. However, "the Yesults of the work of Geneva' arms conference. were absolutely "une is factory.
The Conference has omitted to solve the question bf, the future Armament "position of Germany. 'Therefore, Germany, who thin that the disarmament is indispens able to ensure the world peace, cannot see its way to continue tal ing part. in the work of Geneva Gonferenee, as" long as' the most essential question of her rights will not be' settled." mnnot suffer any more the limitations imposed " by " the Versailles Treaty, in regard to her armament rights, as long as other powers refuse to curry out their Engagement to disarm as. well. Nfndeed, Germany must, same as Organize the jafence of her territory."
Herr Von Papen terminated his address by an appeal to the German nation, to support unanimous. for the equality of rights.—Havas.
the Government in its struggle 'The text of the letter of the Foreign Minister Herr von Neurath to Mr, Arthur Henderson, Chairman of the Disarmament Conference, setting forth the reasons which' compelled Germany not to attend the forthcoming session of the Confer~ ence, was published to-day, letter avers that itis already evident that the coming, Disarmanent Convention will Remain extraordinarily Tong way behind the Giaarmament regime of the Treaty At a private meeting of the Chamber of Affairs Committee, M: Edouard Depaties" Foreize be Herriot in reply to' questions made {the sensational revelation of his belief that for some months past, Germany has been purs armament policy." He that he was aware of this. fact, and that he had also called the attention of the British Government to certain details of his discoveries.
'M. Herriot alleged that he was even aware of a place where the Germans were manufacturing numerous war periscopes, for use from submarines and trenches. He said that he intends to submit his evidence to the League of Nations, Jeonfident that the League Council will order an international in: er whether Germany's demand for Jequality in armaments is made ly or openly," continued M. will always reply. no—ever' impossible"—"united London, Sept. 17.
Downing Street has, it is reliably learned, prepared a formula wherein the major Powers pledge them. selves to an extensive reduction of their armaments with a view. of narrowing the gulf between Germany and the former Allies Furthermore, it is said, Great Britain has agreed to the ineorporation of the Reich's demands in the disarmament Convention, a solation' that, it is hoped,' both the Powers as well as Germany will accept as_satisfactory,—Trans-Ocean Kuo Min.
Berlin, Sept. 17.
Mystery. still surrounds the new "Presidential Party. it jand background nothing has so far become known except for the pi Jeards which overnight appeared on. [the billboards of the capital, bear-jing the names of two men' of no importance. in any branch of public! life. One of them had hitherto some Jconnection. with the Hugenbers press, while the other is a little
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.