GENEVA PROTOCOL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 26 January 1925, Page 5

GENEVA PROTOCOL.

RISKS OF WAR. BRITISH OBLIGATIONS. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. LONDON, Jan. 23. The diplomatic correspondent of the Daily News states that, strong and well founded though tlie Dominions’ criticism of the Geneval protocol may be, the Imperial Government is submitting it to tlie most conscientious and minute examination by a sub-com-mittee of the Imperial Defence Committee of Cabinet. This sub-committee held a prolonged meeting to-day. The effect of the article relating to the operation of sanctions needs the closest scrutiny from the viewpoint of the Empire’s fighting forces, for the Navy may he more frequently called than that of any other Power to intervene on behalf of the League in order to blockade covenant breakers. The question of the cost of such blockades and the risk of embroiling us with the United States need the closest examination.

Tlie alternative policies of a mutual pact with, the Western Powers and a direct pact with France and Belgium are being closely reviewed. The Government is submitting its views on these questions to the Dominions, Sir lan Hamilton, addressing the British Legion, said the bite of 1914 had hardly begun to heal before there was talk of Geneva protocols, actually pledging them under certain quite impossible circumstances to go to war agai*.

NO DECISION IN CANADA,

OTTAWA, Jan, 24.

The attitude of the Canadian Government towards the Geneva protocol on disarmament is now the subject of correspondence with the British autlionties. There has been some consideration of the protocol by Cabinet, but it is probable that Parliamentary discussion, will be invited before a definite stand is taken. It is understood there is some difference of opinion in Cabinet over the protocol, more particularly with regard to the Japanese amendment. _ Parliament opens on February o.