SEARCH FOR PEACE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11954, 26 May 1933, Page 5

SEARCH FOR PEACE

NEW FORMULA FOR CONSULTATIVE PACT.

AMERICA MAKES HER POSITION • - CLEAR. ■ ■ G

WILL REFRAIN FROM AIDING

AGGRESSOR. \ x - - .r-r-r - • • (Hritish Official Wirel^ssj RUGBY, May 24. The new draft formula for a consultative pact for the preservation of peace .presented to the general Disarmament Commission by 'S’>r John Simon represents a modification of the security section of the . British draft convention.

The most important articles propose that in the event of a breach or a threat of a breach of the Pact of Paris, the League Council or Assembly or one of the- parties, to the conventions not members of the League, may propose an immediate consultation between the Council or Assembly, and any one of these parties. In the. event of a threatened breach,V,it will be the object of the consultation to exchange views for tlic purpose of preserving the peace. In the event of a breach, the object will be to usu the good offices of the League for the restoration of peace. Tf it proves impossible thus to t’ovto.ro peace, the objccL then will bo to determine which party to Lite dispute shall bo responsible. Sir John Simon explained that the articles wcr o more strongly worded than originally, because the United States had now consented to associate itself with European affairs. Mr. Norman Davis said the United States proposed to -set forth a policy by unilateral declaration in a form somewhat similar to the following: —- “Recognising that any threatened breach, or breach ul' the Pact of Paris is a matter of concern to the signatories, tho United States Government declares that in such an event it will he prepared to confer with a view to interceding for peace in the event of consultations with other Powers for this purpose being n.rraiiged. In the event of a decision determining the aggressor, following such consultation, and in the event of the United States Government agreeing with this in its independent judgment, it will undertake to refrain, from any action, and to withhold ifs protection from its citizens who might engage in activities Which tend to defeat the collective effort which the States in consultation may think necessary to decide upon against the aggressor.”

M. Paul Boiicour congratulated Sir John Simon and Mr. Davis, and welcomed the new formula as a great step towards tile peace of the world. The German delegate said Germany wa s willing (p accept the British, plan but strongly urged that the German vigilt to equality should be specifically incorporated in the text of tho

pact. Discussion proceeded .throughout tho afternoon.

MEANING OF “AGGRESSOR”. WEEKS OF LABOR ENDED. (U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Roe. May "25. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. May 24. Th 0 British United Press Geneva correspondent says after weeks oi labor, the security committee of Ihe Disarmament Conference has defined the meaning of “aggressor.'’

The ago lessor is the State .which (1) declares war on another State; (2) undertakes armed invasion with or without a declaration of war into another territory: (3) makes a land, naval OiV air attack on vessels or aircraft; (4) conducts a naval blockade; (5) supports armed bauds invading another State.

The draft adds that ail aggressor cannot bo justified on the grounds °1 the internal conditions or the international conduct of another State.

The draft proposed the establishment" of a commission to investigate aggression on the scene of the trouble, with Hie Powers to decide by a majority vote.

■BRITAIN’S MILITARY OBLIGATIONS NOT INCREASED. BETTER PROPOSALS THAN NINE YEARS AGO. (U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Roc. Mify 5, SlhO p.m.) LONDON, May 25. The Daily Telegraph's Geneva correspondent says that Sir John Simon’s draft greatly extends the scope of tlio security proposals, without increasing the obligations ol Great Britain in a -military sonso and consequently cannot be described as a. reiteration of (the Geneva protocol of nine years ago. That protocol definitely committed Britain to decisive action as regards international force, bub Sir John Simon’s text docs not.