DISARMAMENT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 3 October 1924, Page 5

DISARMAMENT.

LEAGUE DISCUSSION. JY OAHLE-- PRESS ASSOCIATION—COP YMGHI GENEVA, Oct. 1. Messages from Geneva state that the galleries w'ere crowded when the Assembly of the League of Nations opened a full dress debate on the disarmament protocol. Seventeen delegates spoke, the general tone of the speeches being one of satisfaction at the League’s great step forward towards securing peace. The hope was expressed that the protocol would be universally signed and ratified. M. Briand (France) gave an assurance of France’s co-operation in carrying out the protocol, and declared that w'hen published it would create such enthusiasm among the masses that an atmosphere of peace w'ould become apparent everywhere. The finest thing w*as that the protocol made no difference betw*een big and little nations.

The Geneva correspondent of the Daily Chronicle says the general report to the Assembly states: “Gur purpose is to make war impossible, to kill it and annihilate it. The plan now draw*n up leaves no loophole. It prohibits wars of every description. Arbitration is provided for every kind of dispute, and aggression is defined in such a way as gives no cause for hesitation. We have been led to fill gaps in the covenant and define sanctions so that no possible means can be found for evading them, and so a definite basis is created for a feeling of security.

“Filially, the conference on the reduction of armaments is indissolubly bound up with this system. There can be no arbitration or security without disarm ament, nor disarmament without arbitration and security. The peace of the. world, is at stake.” Rarmoor (Britain) emphasises the point that every Government must be free to decide to w'hat extent and in what form it' could best co-operate in supporting the covenant and giving assistance to a victim of aggression. It was hardly necessary to contradict the absurd, statement that he had offered the British Navy to. the League. Hie protocol was but the first steo in its provision for ' arbitration. Security must remain •in abeyance until the disarmament conference is successfully concluded. “NOT BINDING.” BRITAIN AND THE LEAGUE. ■ PARLIAMENT THE ARBITER. Received Oct. 3, 11.30 a.m GENEVA, Oct. 2. The League Assembly has unanimously accepted the peace protocol. LONDON, Oct. 2. Replying to a question in the House of Commons on the subject of the Geneva Conference, Mr Clynes said he could only state that the protocol w*as not binding on any Government until formally approved. He added that the British representative at Geneva had made clear that approval would only be given after full consideration by Parliament. An opportunity would be given for discussion as soon as possible. Replying to supplementary questions. Mr. Clynes said ,it was not merely proper, but necessary, to supply for the purpose of Parliamentary discussion a clear statement of the policy of the British delegates at Geneva regarding the use of the British fleet. Asked w*hether steps, had been taken to obtain the advice of the Admiralty on the subject, Mr. Clynes asked for notice of the question.—Reuter.