FIGHTING FORCES

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 74, 24 September 1927, Page 11

FIGHTING FORCES

[TO SUPPORT THE LEAGUE 1 THIRD COMMITTEE'S KECOM- ■'.- MENTATION , (Beceived 24th September, 3 p.m.) GENEVA, 23rd September. Lord OnsloW, addressing tho Third 'Committee,- insisted that the mere fact that a member State specified the fighting forces which it. could bring to the aid of the League of Nations at tho outbreak of war, dia not imply automatically a binding undertaking to employ such forces, jvhieh must always remain a discretionary power of the individual State. . ■-

The Committee considered a report dealingwith security of arbitration and disarmament, and tho shape in which it will be presented to the Assembly, either on Saturday or Monday. It did not.attempt to alter .the terms of Wednesday's resolution, but several amendments wore made with the object of not overlooking a move from the United States for ,the outlawry of war without offering any offence by appearing to try to induce her to partake in a new branch, of League activity. Eventually the. report :was worded to' make it clear that membership of the new Committee would be open to non-members as well as members of tho League, as is membership of tho Preparatory Committee.

: Dr Benes, Chairman of tho Commit- . tee, summed up the Committee Js work as follows: It had taken the principles of the 1924/Protoeol one by one, adjusted.them to, tho existing conditions, with •the result that it was satisfactory all round; it had also given tho United States' programme /imultaneous inquiries, While disarmament security was offering a good chance for progress towards the goal which all have. With this in'view the Committee recommended to i-efer the new Security Committee and Dr. Nansen's proposal to tho International Arbitration Convention, adding the suggestion that the Commit- ■ tee ought to'study the stimulation and - acceptance as optional, and to close The Hague Court as well aa tho mediatory activityr of the League Council.