ARMS LIMITATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 10450, 3 December 1927, Page 9

ARMS LIMITATION.

RUSSIAN PROPOSALS

RUSSIANS REITERATE ARGUMENTS

REDUCTIONS IN FORCE OF SO VIET FORCES

ONLY ONE-THIRD SIZE OF . TSARIST ARMY

(United Press Assn.—Copyright.) _ HENEVA, w " "The Russians Rave, issued an addendum to M. . Litvinoff’s speech, which reiterates the arguments that the great Powers’ anxiety to retain colonial possessions and _ markets caused, wars, and emphasises the respective, wastage of man power and economic • damage. The statement, declares that the Soviet army is only one-third the size of the Tsarist army, despite the fact that other armaments are increasing. It interprets Lord -Cecil’s recent statement as proof that even the Disarmament * Conference produced strained relations, and adds that the fear of a gigantic war, involving greater disaster- and 'suffering, amply justified the Soviet’s proposals and views as the only solution.— N.Z. and A.P.A. and Sun. SECURITY COMMITTEE LITVIN OFF AS OBSERVER CONTROVERSY OVER DEFUNCT PROTOCOL * GENEVA, Dec. 1, The security committee elected Dr Danes president. NJ. Litvinoff attended as an observer. M. Politis, Greece, defended the principles of the defunct protocol, and urged the committee to reexamine the objections thereto. Lord Cushendun., in reply, said: “1 am somewhat alarmed at the use of the word] “protocol;’ which I would have avoided for fear of another avalanche of literature thereon. Britain did not object to the examination of objections to the protocol, hut doubted whether it would he useful.” Lord Cushendun emphasised that his replacing of Lord Cecil did not involve a change in the British policy of the promotion and encourage incut of disarmament, arbitration, and security. He urged the necessity for practical measures insteadof generalisations. Britain was anxious to arrive at a big result. The sitting was adjourned.—A. and N.Z.C.A. SECURITY CONFERENCE AMERICA DECLINES TO SEND OBSERVER (Received Dec. 2. 11 u.m. > WASHINGTON, "Dee. 1. Hie Government will decline the invitation to send an observer to the Geneva Security Conference, hut will continue •participation ’in the Preparatory Commission on Disarmament and attend any conference on the limitation of armaments growing out of that Conference.— N.Z. and A.P.A. and Sun. JAPAN NOT DECEIVED BY RUSSIAN; SCHEME. SOVIET DOES NOT BELIEVE PROPOSALS PRACTICABLE. ONLY SERVE TO CONFUSE PROCEEDINGS. (Received Dec. 2, 11.10 p.m.) TOKYO. Dec. 2. Tin- Soviet proposal at tlie Geneva Conference is treated by newspapers and leading politicians as brilliantly illustrating Russia’s ancient diplomacy and cleverness in throwing a paralysing bomb in any conference from which Russia does not expect unv result. t The newspaper Asalii says the Soviet does not beliVve in the practicability of its own proposal. Russia is not a member of the Security Committee: hence the proposals only serve to confuse the whole proceedings. " . . . Mr Goto is leaving on a visit to Russia and Germany. It is officially announced that the object is to cement the relationship of tlie three countries. He declared that he regarded tlie Russian proposals at Geneva as a sincere demonstration of the guiding principle 'of Russia.—A. and N.Z.C.A.

QUESTIONS IN THE COAI- -

PRIME MINISTER. NONCO mmittal

(Received Dec. 2, 9 p-in.) LONDON, Dec. IIn the House of Commons, Air Johnston asked whether tlie Government is considering the Russian disarmament proposals. ...- Air Baldwin said the only present information on the subject was derived from the newspapers. Until officially informed lie would ' .prefer not to" comment. Mr Johnston: Before these important proposals are negatived, will an opportunity ho. given the Mouse of Commons' to discuss them. Air Baldwin: I can add nothing to the. previous answer. —N.Z. and A.P.A. and 1 Sun.

BRITISH POLICY UNCHANGED

ARiRITRAT! ON P RACTISED FOR FIFTY YEARS.

(United Press Assn. —Coi-.vr-i^ht.) GENEVA,. Dec. 1. Lord Ctisliendun, speaking at today's meeting of the new committee referred to the fact that lie had succeeded; -Viscount Cecil as the British- representative to the League of Nations. He said this change in no way implied a clumso .of British policy,. udiicli continued 'to hfe that Britain would do her host to promote the causes of disarmament, arbitration and security. There was one word which lie would have avoided had he been in the place of sonic of the earlier speakers, and that was the word “protocol”. He made it clear that Great Britain could not again revert to a discussion of ;the ideas embodied in tlie Protocol. . Regarding arbitration, Lord Cuslienduu pointed out that Great Britain had 'practised arbitration for tlie last 50 years—long before the organisation of the League—in the settlement of International disputes. He proposed that members, of. the committee, or properly appointed sub-committees, should bring before the (committee .-definite, and practicable proposals for arbitration rather than vague resolutions. Great Britain, lie assured tlie committee, was as anxious as any country to arrive at real results., —Blritish Official Wireless.