SOVIET APPEAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 71, 24 March 1928, Page 9

SOVIET APPEAL.

AT ARMS MEETING.

Gesture For Peace Considered Propaganda.

LITVINOFF AND BRITAIN.

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.)

(Received lo a.m.)

GENEVA, March 23.

The annoyance felt by Litvinoff the Ruswian observer at the sittings of the Preparatory Committee on Disarmament, because of Lord Cushendun's scathing denunciation of the Soviet's proposals for general disarmament "was made evident yesterday.

Litvinoff devoted the greater part of his reply to an attack on the policy of Britain. r *

In regard to Lord Cushendun's demand to know whether Russia had changed her policy of interfering in the internal affairs of other nations, Litvinoff said: "I would draw attention to the presenco of British troops and naval vessels in Chinese ports and cities, also to her recent Notes to Persia." Ho countered Lord Cushendun's reference to Hus.sia fomenting civil wars with the state-

ment that he mifht refer to the existence in many countries of organisations of bureaux of Russian emigrant s who forced documents against the Soviet. One of these was knoWA as the Zinovieff letter, which was already historical in England. Continuing, Litvinoff. said Britain

and other Powers had done nothing to settle the questions, which rendered it impossible for the committee to undertake a second reading of the Soviet's project. This might well be described as sabotage. Nevertheless, although the Soviet had no intention of joining the .League of Nations, it was determined to take a most active part in the work of the committee. When the othfer nations failed to take the initiative in disarmament the Soviet would take it.

"That is why we presented our project," said Litvinoff. "It would be a blessing if the committee would agree to the abolition of armaments. It should willingly sacrifice the articles of the League's Covenant which stand in the way." He reminded the committee that the Soviet had never made war on anyone in spite, of the fact that it had no obligation undei 1 the Covenant.

LitvinolT said he desired to express Russia's wish to participate in the League's efforts. That would be sufficient proof of her sincerity. He again asked the acceptance of the principle of total disarmament. If the committee aeeepted that principle it could study Russia's proposals article by article. If it rejected it he would not ask for its farther consideration.

M. Clauzel (France) said the declaration* of the delegates had left no doubt as to their attitude. Out of 10 speakers only Count Bernstorff (Germauy) had supported the Soviet's plan. Litvinoff apparently wanted to be a martyr, but he should be satisfied with the number of darts he had received. What the League wanted was to end *11 war—civil and international.

M. Clauzel concluded by seconding Lord Cushendun's proposal that the Soviet's plan should be referred to the various Governments, and that in the meantime a meeting be convoked before the September Assembly for the purpose of reading a second time the committee's draft of a disarmament project in connection with which the Powers are now in agreement on the formerly disputed points.

Tewfik Rushdi Bey (Turkey) alone rallied to Litvinoff's aid and demanded that the Disarmament Commission consider the Soviet's plan with a view to finding the best means of approaching the desired ideal.

Mr» Hugh Gibson (America) said that the result of sounding the delegates in hit opinion was that sufficient agreement had not been reached to justify the beginning of the second reading of the report. It would be better to leave the convening of the next meeting to the president's discretion, perhaps in July or August.

The Russians persisted that the debate had not proved the Soviet proposals impractical, but the chairman, John Kerr John Loudon (Netherlands) tabled a motion that while the proposals Harmonised with mankind's ideals they were incapable of being executed in the existing -world conditions. This was only realisable, he said, by methods of pacific procedure, systematic organisation and sanctions being strengthened. Therefore the work must proceed on the lines already mapped out, but meanwhile member Governments could examine the Soviet plans.

Count Bcrnstorff (Germany) revealed a new German viewpoint, arguing that Jfer disarmament was contrary to the league Covenant and had not left her "ufßcient forces to discharge her obligation thereto.

Litvinoff rose late in the afternoon ■»d announced that to-morrow ho would wbmit new proposals to the parties on living U p armaments and invited 'Umediate discussion.

The feeling in League circlcs is that Wtvitioff'- oration was another propa* ffcnda effort, and that the Soviet at P r «*ent is evidently anxious to keep in touch with the rest of the world through disarmament and economic conferences.

v ' I.L.P. IMPRESSED.

(Received 11 a.m.) LONDON, March 23. tikp l " anr| ual report of the Council of Independent Labour party at the gjjich Conference says that the bold proposals to the League have a great impetus to the discussion intern:* tional disarmament. The party its utmost to inform public ®P'Ulon of the importance of these proP®*als, and to compel the League to consider the matter.