1934-04-20 — Page 9

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 1934.

UNMISTAKABLE REJECTION OF MACDONALD PLAN

Geneva's Opinion On French

Disarmament Note

GERMAN REQUEST FOR DEFENSIVE

AIR FORCE

Not To Return To League Of Nations At Present

Geneva, April 19.

The French disarmament note is regarded as a clear and un- mistakable rejection of Mr. Ramsay MacDonald's Plan,

In the face of Germany's practical re-armament, France de- finitely says it is useless to proceed with the pretence of dis- armament and brushes aside the cobwebs parallel to the supple- mentary negotiations. Therefors it is felt that the proposal of Mr. Anthony Eden that the Bneau- meet on April 30 can have little point and the General Commission should meet as soon as possible.

It is believed that the Gerinan reaction to the French note is likely to be drastle because for the first time a great power has spoken plainly and placed responsibility for the present situation on Germany's threshhold,"

It is felt, however, that the French note does not close the door to an understanding with more limited objectives. Reuter.

Berlin. Apill 19.

An official statement by the Wilhelmstrasse says that while England, Italy and Germany" pur- sued the disarmament, policy in a straight and positive line. the French allegation that Germany violated the Peace Theaty is an obvious tactical manoeuvre,

BRITISH PRESS

COMMENT

German Thesis Not Unreasonable

London, April 19...

Apart from the publication of the White Paper 'containing the international memoranda on dis- armament, no interpretative state ment is available concerning the

official view of the situation,

"HANDS OFF CHINA"

Reaction To Japan's Statement

[Special to the "Hong Kong Palty Press” (Dopyright),]

Berlin. April 18.

A statement made by a repre sentative of the Japanese Foreign Ministry stressing that the natural responsibility for the maintenance of peace in the Far East devolves upon Japan and that Japan is therefore compelled to oppose any measures by other Powers suscep- The Budget has yielded pride of tible to disturbing the peace-as,¦ ̈ place to the disarmament dead- for instance, supplying China with lock in the London newspapers, military aeroplanes and military where the opinion la unanimous

instructors

China or granting that if the French Note is the last

loans for non-economic purposes- word then disarmament has ceased

is featured by the German Press. to be practical politics.

Few papers. however, venture on The French attitude to Ger- any comment so far. The "Ber- many's claims. is essentially liner Tagablatt" declares that the legalist, says the Daily Tele Japanese statement appears to

but legality, graph,"

In the

prejudice the Hay Pauncefort ultimate resort, can only be declaration of 1899 in favour of an forced by war.

open-door China. The paper adds, The Morning Post" and the however, that the telegraphic re- Dally Mall," keen for fresh Br parts on the Tokio statement tish armaments, welcome the new

are not sufficiently exhaustive to development and urge that

permit, drawing definite conclu- Britain's defence be rendered Im-sons-Transocean Kuo Min. mediately effective..

It la really impossible' to describe the German thesis as unreason- ale, says "The Times." There is no proof that. Germany is going beyond the reasonable measure that her return to the League of į suggested by the distinction drawn Nations can only be dealt with in the draft convention between after a solution of the disarma-defensive and offensive weapons. ment question and above all of Reuter. the acceptance of Germany's equal- ity of rights.-Reuter.

MUSSOLINI'S PLAN.

Rome, April - 19.

| five years necessary, reduction and increases should be made so that she should attain a full equality of number with the principal air Powers at the end of the ten years of convention.

The statement claims that many possibilities of armament are pro- A French note, is regarded as vided by the Peace Treaty which natural in consequence of Great Germany has not exhausted, as for Britain's refusal to guarantee arm-

Germany would be prepared example the replacement of obso-ed support for France in the event to agree, on a basis of reciproci- lete ships. Germany has destroyed of Germany attacking her, but heavy

Italy is hopeful because she believes to the institution of new regu- more firmly than ever that Signor battery and squadron after squad-Mussolini's memorandum, pubiish ron against whom?"-Reuter. ed in January. will eventually be adopted as the basis for future conversations great Powers.

artillery and submarines. while France builds battery after

*THREAT TO LONDON'S

SECURITY.'

Paris, April 19.

It is still in Britain's power to change the disarmament situation. according to the "l'Oeuvre." which states that the German military budget implied a threat to Lon- doners' security as much as that of Parisians,

"Excelsior" declares that it London had sald "the day France is attacked England will be at her side there would be no crisis.,

Reuter.

between the four

lations to ensure the non-military character of the S. A. and S. 8. such character to be verified by supervision.

The German Government also agree to the postponement of the reductions of he armaments, of the other Powers until the end of the fith year of the convention ineasure of Disarmament lald

It is emphasised that Signor Mussolini is open to suggestions for modification as long as the fundamental, principles of the down in the United Kingdom me- memorandum are accepted-Reu-morandum being carried out dur- ing the second five years of the convention.

ter.

j

GERMANY'S CLAIMS..

London, April 18. Further memoranda on Disarma- inent, exchanged between Govern- ments in accordance with the deci- sion of the Bureau of the Disarma ment Conference that supplemen- tary efforts to reach an agreement should be continued through diplo- marle channels: are contained in last a "white paper" published night.

They include notes which passed

the Governments of between in the last two months, most of France, Germany, and Eritain, a which have already been publish-statement of ed. Is a statement, dated April 16, Italian Government, as expressed of the German Government's views by Mussolini in a recent interview the British Memorandum of with Captain Anthony Eden, and Jaquary 31.

the text of the memorandum re- ceived last week from the Danish,

WHITE PAPER FEATURES

London, April 18. The chief feature of the White Paper published to-night, contain ing the disarmament memoranda of the various Powers exchanged

01

It shows that Germany is pre-

pared to accept the Memorandum as the basis of a Convention, aub- ject to certain important modifica tions.

These include a stipulation that Germany is unable to wait for two years for appropriate means of aerial defence, but wishes to possess a defensive air force of short range fighting planes. from the beginning of the convention

Germany agrees that the strength of the force should not exceed thir- ty per cent. of the combined air. forces of her neighbours, or per cent. of France's military air craft, whichever figure is the less.

Germany is willing to agree that

ty

the views of the

Spanish, Norwegian, Swedish and Swiss delegations to the Disarma- ment Conference,

All other proposals made in the United Kingdom memorandum. which would- be unaffected by these modifications, such for ex- ample as supervision, are accepted by the German Government. Bri- tish Wireless Brvice.

FRANCE'S ATTITUDE

NO COMMENT IN BRITAIN

London, April 19. The Daily Telegraph's" diplo-. matic correspondent says British official circles decline to comment on

the Japanese "Hands

of Chinal" statement, but admit the seriousness of its tone and its far- reaching implications.

DISCUSSION IN FRANCE

Complete Argeement With Roumania

Paris, April 19.

It is officially announced that a complete agreement has been reached between M. Barthou, and the Roumanian Foreign Minister M Titulescu, whose discussionis Included disarmament, the poli tical and economic situation in 'Central Europe, the situation in the Balkans and Eastern Europe and the present mission of the League-Reuter.

AUSTRIA AND ITALY

Prince Von Starhemberg Visits Rome

Rome, April 18. Signor Mussolini to-day received Prince von Starhemberg. leader of the Austrian Fascist organisa- tion, with whom he had a long and cordial conversation-Reuter.

SILVER MARKET

(From Our Special Correspondent)

London, April 19. London silver prices to-day were down 5/16ths as follow

Spot

Forward

Apr. 18 Apr. 19 20.3/16 19.7/8 ......... 20.1/4 19.15/16 It is presumed that Japan hopes, The London on New York cross by the mere threat of forcible in- rate at 2 p.m. yesterday was 5.14, terference, to prevent foreign loans compared with 5.13-11/18 at 2 to China, on the ground that the.m. the previous day. risks to the lenders would be too. great-Reuter.

SITUATION IN CHINA IMPROVING

SIR ARTHUR SALTER

HIS OPINION

London, April 18.

of

A hopeful view is taken in a considered appreciation the situation in China, given to Reuter by Sir Arthur Salter on the return from a mission to the Far East, undertaken on behalf of the Lea- gue of Nations.

GIVES

With regard to the future, there БОШЕ are elements of hope, but factors still cause anxiety.

Sir Arthur has drafted a long report for publication both in Eng- lish and Chinese-Reuter

CHINESE STUDENTS IN BRITAIN

Sir Arthur expressed the opin- lon that the internal political situation has substantially im- proved, as shown by the fact that; the struggle between wan lords'

London, April 18. have ceased, except in Szęchuen The annual meeting of the Chin-

the North-West. Chinese Purchasing and in elsewhere has reasonably effective government, and there is a gen- eral and determined desire to cut out civil war,

The French Foreign Secretary M. Barthou, in a not received in Lon- don yesterday in reply to Sir John Simon's letter to the French Am- bassador last week on the subject of guarantees, of execution of the convention, points out that the Bri- dish communication was received simultaneously with the publication in Berlin of the German 1934-5 rejoining"- the Budget, which showed increases in should be very strong. the expenses of the ministries of Army, Navy and Air, amounting to 352,000,000 marks.

The British Government were no less concerned than the French a

If the reconciliation between General Clang Kai-shek and Mr. T. V. Boong results in the latter

Government,

ACTION AGAINST JAPAN

The

BRITISH CHAMBERS URGE GOVERNMENT MOVE

Proposal Abandoned On Advice At Meeting

Association

London, April 19,

British of Chambers of Commerce at its annual meeting resolved regretting the breakdown of the Anglo- Japanese textile talks. adding in ary event the early agreed

neasures cannot be relled upon.

The Association calls the Gov- ernment to take whatever action is open to secure stable markets for British export industrles faced with Japanese competition.

Mr. Richard Bond, President of the Manchester Chamber, declared that if Japan can regulate her

at growth

ย reasonable pace permitting adjustments without collapse or revolution, and if her policy in matters of currency and mercantile labour questions avoids thrusting upon the world price levels incompatible with standards of life elsewhere, she will find us well-wishers' and co-operators in stead of hostile critics.

If the present process of negotiations is likely to be pro- longed he would prefer to wash out the Governmental Confer- ence.-Reuter.

PROPOSAL DESCRIBED AS NONSENSE

London, April 19. The Chamber of Commerce on the advice of Sir Thomas Barlow, of the Leicester Chamber, with- drew an amendment urging the Government to negotiate with the Japanese Government to delimit export markets or the volume of exports to markets where mutual competition exists.

The proposal was described by one speaker as nonsense and absolutely impossible.-Reuter.

TROTSKY LEAVES

-PARIS

Reported Going To. Spain

Paris, April 18.

Leon Trotsky on Wednesday with his wandering staff entrained at the last minute for Spain, despite the numerous rumours that he in-

Intended proceeding to Switzerland following his expulsion from here. The Right press continues with in- spired detective work exposing Trotsky's activities during the last "Le three months in France. Journal'? describes the homeless Commission in Red as having been an active chier London was held this afternono, of the International Communist

Que League.—Transocean Kuo^Min. being presided over by Mr.

(Chinese, Ambassador). Tal-chi There were also present Mr. Wang, Gır Basil Blackett, Mr. Arthur Mr. Balfour, Mr. McEwen, and

Ralph Wedgwood.

The report showed that the Commission placed contracts in England during 1933 of the value of £300,000, bringing the total ex- pénditure of the Commission since its inception to over one million sterling. The funds held by the Commission totalled £3,250,000.

ECONOMIC OUTLOK Economically, says Bir Arthur, the situation has deteriorated since his last mission three years ago, in consequence of sterling, the rupee and the yen leaving gold The report recorded the gratify- while silver has risen in relationing progress made in placing Chi to foreign currencies, bringingese students for practical train- about a fall in prices.

ing in British, engineering Arms, the Federation of British Indus- tries co-operating in this connec- tion.

In the last mentioned memoran- dum particular emphasis is laid on the fact that a convention of even à imited scope does not appear realisable without reinforcement of. security going beyond the proposals the size of this increase in expen- of the British memorandum; . diture. but the explanations they

It adds that in view of the grav-

received in return to the repre- ity of the situation it is the duty sentations at Berlin were less a of signatories to take tato serious Justification than a re-amrmation consideration any reasonable pro-

In reality he, German Govern- Nevertheless, there is much econ- posal for

road increasing guarantees ment, without awaiting the results omic reconstruction and with the limits of the acknowledged of the negotiations which were in making, and a considerable deve- obligations of the covenant and progress, has wished to impose its lopment in lighter industries.

If the more atable political con- taking into

the special determination to continue every account

form of re-armament within theditions can be maintained, the

this position shall remain unalter situation occupied by any state imits, of which it claims to be way should soon be open for the Commission · for "a" further

ed during the first five years of the convention; but after that period. reductions abroad or increases in Germany must be made so that she will attain equality with the principal air powers at the end of the ten years of the convention. STORM-TROOPS

the League of Nations.

"In this

among enterprises in which Weal erners are interested. The rail- way situation le promising.

connexion Germany's the sole judge in contempt of pro- marked development, particularly

visions of the treaty, which in the return to the League would un- doubtedly represent an important absence of any other convention contribution to the solution of a continue to govern the level of its

armaments. Brave problem of collective secur- ity.?!

Facts of such exceptional gravity can lead to only one observation and conclusion. They prove that the German Government, whether of set purpose or not, have made impossible the negotiations on a basis of which it has by its own act destroyed.

*

tance, however, Captain Eden was unable to bring from Berlin any favourable solution, and the silence, which was observed in this respect in the course of the most recent communications, does not permit of better hopes,

Mr. Quo Tai-chi-announced that Government had the Chinese reappointed all the members of

three years, and be paid a tribute to their valuntary services as an excellent example of Sino-British

co-operation,-Reuter.

On this subject the German Gov.

tion of the document's general con- ernment, in its statemeny or views

tents, and furnish the German pa- communicated to the British Gov-

pers with matter for trenchant Germany is also prepared toernment on April 10, declare that

comment. The Berliner Tage- agree, on the basis of reciprocity: they consider Germany's return to

blatt" writes while French press to regulations that will ensure the the League can only be deals with

comments make it appear that the non-military, character of storm- after the solution of the question

policy advocated by the Foreign troops and similar organisations, or Disarmament, and, above all, of

Even before seeking discovery The experience of the last, war Minister Barthou and siming “at to be verified by, supervision, these their equality of rights.

whether art. amendment could be horrors, of which France has to en- | the conclusion of arms convention regulations to provide, among Subject to this and other impor. obtained upon the system of guar-sure more than any other country, with maintenance at the present other things, that such political tant modifications the German antees sufficiently efficious to perimposes on her the duty of show-state of armaments, prevail in the formations shall not possess arms, Government expressed readiness to mit signature of the convention. Ing prudence. She appreciates the French Cabinet, and while this shall receive no military instruc- accept the British memorandum as which would legalise substantai friendly action of the British Gov-policy is somewhat less extravag- tions, and shall not be commanded

rearmament of Germany. France ernment, in which they seek with aut than that recommended by the a basis of convention. They state by members of the Regular Forces that they find it impossible to walt must place in the forefront of her her for the effective guarantees for Tardieu group. It is nevertheless Germany is further prepared to two years for the approval of means preoccupations conditions of her the execution of convention, Shea deplorable fact that the French agree to the postponemens of the of aerial defence,

own security, which she does not regrets that the action of a third, note does not contain some olive reductions in armaments" of other

The wish to possess a defensive separate from the state of other party should abruptly have render- branch to which the world is long- Powers until the end of the fifth Air Force of short range machines, interested powers.

ed vain all such negotiations-Bri- tng. England published on Wed- year of the Convention, the mea not including bombing planes,

tish Wireless Service. sure of disarmament laid down in from the beginning of the conven- the

British Memorandum being tion numerical strength of which

The return of Germany to the carried out during the second Ave would not exceed 30 per cent, of League, which she left so abruptly, years.

the combined air forces of Ger- might have furnished an opportun many's neighbours or 50 per cent. y and a means of dissipating, at LEAGUE MEMBERSHIP ....:

of the military aircraft possessed least in part, these preoccupations. Germany accepts the other pro- by France

The presence of Germany in the posals in the British. Memorandum This claim the German Govern- Geneva Assembly would be no less including supervision of armament make without prejudice to indispensable for the realisation

ments,

the result of an air enquiry, which of a satisfactory system of guaran- She continues to recognise the should at least abolish bombers. tees or extentionen Treaty of Locarno but considers Germany claims that after her on this point of capital impor

PESSIMISTIC NOTE

GERMAN CRITICISM

(Special to the "Hong Kong Dally Press" (Copyright. 31

nesday & White book which is evide ently serving the purpose of show- ing the British Parlament and public opinion what pains England have taken to salvage the disarms- ment idea, Documents contained in this White book show proof-dr Berlin, April 1B.": what a straight course she has fol- Although the official text of the lowed in dealing with the disarma- latest French disarmament notement question.The semi-oficial to England is not yet known here, "Diplomatische correspondenz” en- -Ï ́disclosures by the French and Eng" larges on the same angle of critic.

Ish Press gives sufficient indicatism Transocean Kuo Min

STILL IN PARIS?

Paris, April 18.

It was officially learned to-night that M. Leon Trotsky is still in France. There is no truth in the report that the Government has ordered him to leave to-night-

Reuter.

U.S. SILVER EXPERT

Dr. James Rogers Visits China

Nanking, April 12. Dr. James Harvey Rogers, Ameri- can, silver expert" and representa- tive of the US Treasury, arrived here this morning from Shanghai, Afte a brief rest at the American Consulate-General, Dr. Rogers call- ed on Dr. H. H Kung. Minister of Finance, at 11 o'clock. It is under- stood that the general economic. altuation in the Far East and the London Biver Agreement were dis- cussed.

Dr. Rogers was the guest of honour at a banquet given, this": evening by Minister Kung." The funétion was attended by Mr. Sun Fo, "President of the Legislative Yuan,

Dr. Wang Shin-chieh, Minister of Education, Mr Ku Meng-yu, Minister of Railways, Mr. Chen Kung-po, Minister of Indus- try, Dr. Chu Chia-hua, Minister of Communications, Mr Hsu Mo, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs. and Dr. Willys R. Peck, American. Consul-General,

Interviewed by press representa tives, Dr. Rogers said that he has come to China merely to study the Far Eastern sliver situation. He will not enter into any negotiations whatsoever, he emphasized. He is proceeding to Pelping and Tientsin next week to continue his investi- gations, and will retura to the United States next month.-Kuo Min.

SHAI MUNICIPAL COUNCIL

Mr. Arnold Elected Chairman

Shanghai, April 19. Mr. H. E. Arnhold and Brigadier General MacNaughter have been elected Chairman and Vice Chair- man of the Shanghai Municipal Council respectively-Reuter.

FRENCH RIDING

TOURNAMENT

(Special to "Hong Kong Dally' Prem")

1894-

tity Telegraph, Copyright, graphic Messages Ordinance, Received, April 19, 7.30 p.m.).

Nice, April 19. "Germany's luck at the riding tournament at Nice, turned on Thursday when Lieut. Kurt Hasse ̧. won the "Monarco" prize, for precision during a Jump-Trans- ocean, Kuo Min.

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