NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 1 July 1924

1 JULY 1924

The German Government, in their note acceding to the Allies’ demand for an inspection of German armaments, declare that Germany is reduced to a state of complete lack of military armament without parallel in the history of nations. “This”, says the note, “is why the German people is quite unable to understand that any fear should be entertained that such a Germany constitutes a menace to the peace of Europe, and that more apprehension is not felt on account of the fact that the idea of general disarmament has hitherto made no appreciable progress among other nations”.

The Bishop of Oxford’s Liquor (Popular Control) Bill, which proposes Local Option for England, was discussed in the House of Lords on second reading.

The House of Commons was occupied with the Committee stage of the Finance Bill, and inflected upon the Government their seventh defeat, carrying by 220 votes to 165 an amendment, which the Chancellor resisted, exempting from duty entertainments on behalf of philanthropic, charitable and educational objects.

Answering questions in Parliament about the Sudan, the Prime Minister regretted that statements had been made in Egypt, and action taken to create trouble in the Sudan which could only be explained as an attempt to force his hands.