DISARMAMENT COMMISSION

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 March 1928, Page 5

DISARMAMENT COMMISSION

PROCEEDINGS CONCLUDED SOVIET PLAN REJECTED I (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.l (By Cable—Press Assn.—Copyright.) GENEVA, March 24.

The Disarmament Commission has ended. It did so cordially, after a day spent in the discussion of a German proposal to fix a definite date for a Disarmament Conference. This was rejected, as also was the wording of a resolution for the shelving of M- Litvinoff’s draft convention. The Commission from this deleted the words:' “The Soviet draft corresponds with the ideal of mankind, but, under existing conditions, is incapable of execution.”

M. Litvinoff was disappointed. He reiterated that he did not see why the Commission should decline the first reading. \ A resolution was eventually adopted declaring: “The Soviet draft is not acceptable.” The Commission must pursue lines already mapped out, but it promises to consider a new Soviet Draft next session, which if possible, will precede the next assembly.

The Chairman, in a- valedictory speech, said that he hoped the Soviet would then come in a constructive, and not in a destructive spirit. M. Litvinoff paid a tribute to the League Secretariat’s work, especially to the disarmament section. Lord Cushendun remarked that it was the first time they had had pleasure in associating themselves with M. Litvinoff. (Laughter). .

SOVIET’S NEW SCHEME,

GENEVA, March 24

The Soviet Delegation has distributed a new scheme for partial and progressive disarmament, comprising the reduction of land, sea and air forces, also providing for the international control /of disarmament. The scheme divides the countries into four groups, of which the countries possessing two hundred thousand troops will reduce them by half. The next group with forty thousand will reduce them by one-third. The same system is applied to the navies. Thus the countries with two hundred thousand tonnage would reduce it by half. The country with less than two hundred thousand tonnage would reduce it by a quarter. The scheme also advocate the abolition within twelve months of all the military aircraft. There is not the slightest chance of the scheme being discussed at the preesnt session. It is generally felt that it had been prepared before the Soviet delegates arrived at Geneva in the event, of., the earlier Soviet pro-’ posals not being supported. Lord Cushendun )in an interview with journalists, said he had in his possession, and could produce* figures showing enormous ! expenditure that the Soviet incurred • in furnishing China with armg, which was sufficient proof of the Soviet’s desire to provoke civil war.

LATEST BRITISH OFFER.

GENEVA,'March 24.

Lord Cushendun has addressed a note to the American, Japanese and French representatives on the Disarmament Commission, explaining that, when replying to M. Litvinoff on March 20, he was compelled to refer indefin-' itely to Britain’s readiness to reduce the' size of her capital ships. He says he now is able to reveal the British proposals. The proposals are: Firstly, the reduction of the size of battleships from thirty-five thousand tons to under thirty thousand tons; secondly, the reduction in the size of guns from sixteen inches to 13.5 inches; thirdly, an extension of the Jife of battleships from twenty years to twenty-six years or thereabouts, involving the waiving of power rights under the Washington Treaty. Lord Cushendun urges that these reductions, if accepted, should be ‘introduced to enable their effectiveness before replacement under treaty.. He adds that the proposals are a great step towards disarmament and would ensure considerable economies.

AGREEMENT PROSPECTS.

LONDON, March 25. • In view of Mr Gibson’s presence at Geneva, Lord Cushendun’s offer of naval reduction is dramatic. If* an agreement is reached on the capital ships, it is reasonable to expect that the cruiser discussion will be resumed. GERMAN DISAPPOINTMENT. BERLIN, March 25. “General disarmament is an obligation towards the German people, and cannot be postponed without impossibly straining Germany’s patience, says a semi-official newspaper, reflecting on the official attitude at the recent session at Geneva. It adds : Germany fails to understand why the other side is avoiding obligations. The newspapers generally support Count Bernstorff’s outburst at Friday s meeting. “Tagliche” says: If the League is incapable of carrying out disarmamen , it is no use to anybody if the other Powers do not discharge their obligations. Germany will be released from hers Nationalist newspapers freely use the word “sabotage,” saying apparently the Disarmament Committee’s main object was to postpone disarmament.