GRAVE SITUATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 198, 4 June 1934, Page 5

GRAVE SITUATION.

CONFERENCE MAY FAIL.

WARNING BY MR HENDERSON

(United Press Association—Copyright). GENEVA, June 2. Making a grave appeal at the opening of the Disarmament Conference, the president, Ma- Arthur Henderson, suggested an adjournment to enable the delegates to reflect on the critical situation, in order to attempt to make / arrangements that could be translated) into action. ' • , The situation, he said, had never . been graver than since the Conference-, began. Mere speechifying would riot settle it., \„ , Mr Henderson's statement caused a sensation in the conference. . M. Maxim Litvinoff (Russia) urged: the immediate convening of a political committee to discuss security. In spite of the gravity of Mr Henderson's warning,' which is regarded as tantemount to the writing on the wall. it was decided that the Commission should reassemble on Wednesday, instead' of Tuesday, as Mr. Henderson originally proposed. An effort to bridge .the gap .between: the French and British standpoints has been made by the smaller Powers , , including Spain,, Holland and the Scandinavian countries. They have submitted a memorandum proposing a convention ; limited, to certain branches of armaments,; and including the unconditional ■.prohibition of aerial bombing but leaving the question of the abolition of military, aviation and- the problem of naval armaments for later, solution. . Mr R. A. Eden (Lord Privy Seal); broadcasting from Geneva, said hopes of a successful outcome-of the Conference had become fainter .and the; outlook'was blacker than at any time. in the history of the conference.-