Biggest issue ⇒ what to do with Germany
- most countries shared view that terms set out in TOV should be fairer to Germany
- terms limiting size of Germany’s army ⇒ perceived to be unfair
- there was disagreement to how fair arrangement should be achieved
Option 1: Every country disarm to a level that was similar to that Germany was forced to do so. Option 2: allow Germany to rearm to a level closer to that of other powers
→ reluctance to allow either option Experience of disarmament efforts in 1920s ⇒ proved most countries would not disarm
France ⇒ wary of Germany ⇒ due to its painful experience in WW1 ⇒ pressure the league against taking up option 2
- demanded that:
- either France continued to have an army greater in size compared to Germany, Britain, US
- or Britain and US guarantee to fight alongside France if war between France and Germany broke out
Disagreements continued
- US did not want to commit themselves to guaranteeing France’s future security
- at the same time ⇒ Germany accused France and other powers of Hypocrisy
July 1932 ⇒ Germany ⇒ put forward proposal ⇒ for other powers to disarm down to Germany’s extent. → conference failed to agree on the principle of ‘equality’ ⇒ Germans walked out + conference broke up