THE PROTOCOL.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18310, 18 February 1925, Page 9

THE PROTOCOL.

"UNPRACTICAL NATURE."

DEFENCE COMMITTEE VIEW.

(bt cable—press association—coftrigbt.) (australiax and k.z. cable associatiox.)

(Received February 17th, 9.35 p.m.)

LONDON, February 16,

A sub-committeo of the Imperial Defence Committee wiliy on Wednesday, submit to Cabinet an exhaustive analysis of the Protocol, pointing out its weaknesses, and unpractical nature, and suggesting new means of achieving sc urity. It is generally accepted that the Disarmament Conference at Geneva in June will be abandoned. NOT READY FOR GENEVA. (abstbalian and x.z. casus association.) (Received February 17th, 9.35 p.m.) LONDON, February 16. It is authoritatively stated that it is practically impossible to prepare the joint Imperial Protocol proposals in time for the March meeting of tho Geneva Council, at which. Mr Austen Chamberlain is certain to request the postponement of tho discussion. The replies may be ready for the June meeting, but this is' doubtful, therefore the alternative is either to await a fuller assembly at Geneva in September, or, better still, to include the Protocol in the agenda for tho Imperial Conference in October.

FRANCE'S PROBLEM.

SEEKING A SUBSTITUTE.

(bt cable—press association—copieight.) ("tbb in»s.")

LONDON, February 16. .

Tho Paris correspondent of "The Times" says that, realising that the possibility of British adherence to tho Geneva Protocol in its present form must now be definitely abandoned, the French Government seems to have begun searching for something to take its place.

At present it appears to be working in the direction of a.mutual guarantee pact to which other States would be free to subscribe, the idea apparently being that it should develop in the course of time to something resembling tie Protocol.

BRITAIN'S POSITION.

DOMINIONS' REPLIES FIRST,

(BKTJTZIt'S SILXOBAXS.)

LONDON, February 16.

•It jis stated that the report that the British Government is negotiating with any other Power in regard to the Geneva Protocol is untrue. Tho British Government cannot define its policy until it, knows tho mind of the Dominions. Any suggestions of the Committee of Imperial Defence must be transmitted overseas and replies by the Dominion Governments received in London. Meanwhile the British Government is not discussing the question with anyone. a