DISARMAMENT

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 112, 8 November 1930, Page 9

DISARMAMENT

« BRITISH PROPOSALS PERMANENT COMMISSION AMERICA INCLUDED (British Official Wireless.) (Received Sth November, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, 7th November. Among the documents distributed at the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference, which is holding its sixth session at Geneva, [were two sets of proposals by the British Government The first of these consists of four amendments to the text dealing with organisation and procedure. Of particular interest is a proposal to set up at the seat of the League a "Permanent Disarmament Commission/' which it is proposed shall consist of one representative of each of the States, parties to the Convention, members of the League represented on the Council of the League, the United States of America, and the Union of Soviet Socialist Eepublies. Speaking to foreign journalists, Lord Cecil explained that the idea is to have at Geneva a body similar to the' Mandates Commission to watch what was happening, to gather information, and to report to the Council on doubtful points brought to its notice. This Commission should not consist merely of Government representatives, but also of persons not dependent on their Governments. ■ The second British document provides that articles of the present Convention shall not prevent any of the high contracting parties from increasing the peace strength of its land, naval, or air armaments beyond the agreed figures (1) if it is faced with a menace of organised rebellion or a general uprising, or (2) if this increase is effected with the consent and subject to any conditions laid down by the Council of the League of Nations. Lord Cecil further explained that Great Britain would submit more amendments, including one which would propose to include in the Convention the terms of the London Naval Treaty. Lord Cecil denied that it was the intention of the British Delegation to ask for a discussion of the naval question in the Naval Sub-Committee.