ARMAMENTS ISSUE

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 36, 11 August 1934, Page 15

ARMAMENTS ISSUE

LEAGUE OP NATIONS

PLAN

REFERENDUM IN BRITAIN

Viscount Cecil of Chorivood outlined at a conference of the League of Nations Union, at Bournemouth a sehemo by which it is proposed to take a referendum of the people of the country on the question of the League of Nations and armaments, says the "Manchester Guardian." •. ■

The plan set forth that while it was believed the British people were prepared to pay the price of poace by accepting responsibility for joining in such collective action as might be needed to prevent war, that could not be demonstrated: without a house-to-house, inquiry on this particular issue, which should be disentangled from the numerous issues necessarily raised in any General Election.

It was proposed to ask each elector to reply to five specific questions. It was explained that for the most part the Parliamentary constituencies would form the most natural unit. The organisation for canvassing them was already in being.

• Lord Cecil emphasised that it was not the proposal of the union, but a scheme put forward by a number of organisations of public importanco in the public life of the country. AGITATION AGAINST LEAGUE. "There has been for years past," ho said, "a strong agitation against the League of Nations and all it stands for. I do not say that it has had any great support in the country, but it has been, earned on. It has had no effect upon the union, which is, I think, in every way stronger than before that attack was begun. "That movement, supported by all sorts of influences and- organisations, lias had a very unfortunate effect and must have a very unfortunate effect. It must create in the minds of the Government some doubt as to how far they arc really supported by almost universal public opinion in favour of r, strong League policy. "No democratic Government can afford to ignoro any question of doubt raised, particularly in foreign affairs, as to whether they have tlio support of the country or not. It has also produced some effect in foreign countries. It has been really very painful to those who have had occasion to come into touch with foreign opinion to find how nuxious it is, how doubtful it is, as to the preservation of peace, and how timid it is in regard to the futuro of the League. "One of the things which has niost - contributed to that unfortunate unrest and disquiet which still goes on and is at the back of a great deal of the difficulties experienced at Geneva in connection with tho Disarmament Convention is largely assisted by the doubt as to what is the real policy and wish of the people 'of this country." He • thought it was \'ery important that they should take somo steps which . would make it quite clear that the people of this country were enthusiastically and determinedly behind the League, and desired that it should be supported by the Government in every way possible. AT LOW COST. He had heard some • fantastic estimates as to what such a scheme would cost. It had been suggested that it would cost £200,000 or £300,000, but their estimate wan that it would cost only about £5000 to headquarters, ■ Work of that kind would have to be

done by voluntary effort to a great extent.

."This is a matter in which I am quita certain we can succeed if we are really enthusiastic an,d united. lam equally certain that if wo get an important vote running into millions in favour of the collective idea of the Loague of Nations, that will havo a vital effect uot only in this country but all .over the world.

"I am one of those who avc absolutely convinced that it is for this country to give a lead in tho matter of peace. lam equally convinced that if this country does give a courageous, unhesitating lead, that will be followed by the great mass of the countries of tho world."

Lord Cecil, replying to the debate, said: "The League of Nations Union does not exist in order to get members. The union exists for a great public purpose essential to the prosperity of this country, and tho existence of civilisation." There was, ho added with a smile, a great ignorauee everywhere on these matters. "There is great ignorance in the House of Commons, and I dare say that some may think there is great ignorance in the House of Lords." (Laughter.) The conference gave its almost unanimous approval to the plan. The conference accepted a resolution, put forward by tho Oxford branch, in which members of the union undertook to use all constiutional means to prevent tho Government from embarking upon a war in contravention of the Covenants and the Locarno Treaty, and refusing to sanction any war so waged.