DISARMAMENT

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 3 December 1927, Page 5

DISARMAMENT

PROGRESS AT GENEVA. SECURITY AND ARBITRATION. COMMITTEE SET UP. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. GENEVA, Dec. 1. The Security Committee elected M. Benes as president. M. Litvinoff attended as an observer. IM. Po its (Greece) defended the principles of the defunct protocol, and urged that the committee should re-examine the objective thereto. Lord Gushenden, in reply, said: ‘J am somewhat alarmed at the use of the word protocol, which would have to be avoided for fear of another avalanche of literature thereon. Britain did not object to an examination of the objection® to the protocol, but doubted whether it would be useful. He emphasised that his replacing Jjord Cecil did not object to an examination of tiie objections to the protocol, but doubted whether it would be useful. He emphasised that his replacing Lord Cecil did not involve a change in British policy of the promotion of eneoura(remeiit of disarmament arbitration and .security- He urged the necessity for practical measures instead of generalisations. Britain was anxious to arrive at a big result- The sitting was adjourned. SOVIET AND WAR PREPARATIONS FEAR OF ANOTHER AVAR. GENEVA, Dec. 1. The Russians have issued an addendum to M. Litvinoff’, s speech, which reiterates the arguments that the Great Powers’ anxiety to retain their colonial possessions .and markets caused the war. He emphasised the resultant wastage, of man-power. He decares that the Soviet army is only one-third of the’ size of the Tsarist’s armv, despite the fact that other armaments are, increasing. It interprets lord Cecil’s recent statements as proof that even the Disarmaments Conference produced strained relations, and adds that the fear of a gigantic war, involving greater disasters and suffering, amply justified the Soviet’s proposals and provides the only .solution. — A.P.A and “Sun.” RUSSIAN PROPOSALS. PRIME MINISTER NOTHING TO SAY. LONDON. Dec. 1. In the House of Commons Mr T. Johnston (Labour) asked whether the Government was considering the Russian disarmament proposals. The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Stanlev Baldwin, said the only present information on the subject was de,riven from the newspapers. Until official!) informed he would prefer not to comment. , . ... Mr Johnston: Before these important proposals are negatived, will opportunity be given the House of Commons to discuss them? Mr Baldwin: I add nothing to mv previous answer. THE AMERICAN ATTITUDE, WASHINGTON, Dec. 1The Government will decline the ini’ tation to send an observer to the Geneva .security conference, but will continue its patricipation in the -preparatorv commission on disarmament and wit attend any conference, on the limitation of armaments, growing out or that conference. A R BITR AT lON AND SECT’R LTY. NO AMERICAN PARTICIPATION. (British Official Wireless). RUGBY. Dec. 1. The new committee on arbitration ana .security was agreed to by the Preparatory Commission of the Disarmament Conference at Geneva, yesterday. The committee w:,ll consist of all countries represented on the commission, with the exception of Russia, who will send an observer, and the United States, who is considering whether to .send an observer. Since the committee will deal with the interpretation of certain causes in the League Covenant, which America has not signed, her participation, was not expected, but the American delegate. 'Mr Hugh Wilson, stated that, although his Government .must leave to European States those matters which part'<-ulariy concerned tin?in, in another part of the world the United States had signed with Great Britain, France and Japan what really amounted to a security pact. The British Press, in commenting on M. Litvinoff’s proposals, is not impressed by their practicability and is dubious about tliei,r intentions. Jt is the general view of the newspapers that if practical results are to lie obtained it ' wi'l onlv I*3 through the technical consi den-at ion of the problem in a. scientific spirit and with due regard to the inter national engagements and respon.sibi.lii ties of the States. The idea that the abolition of a! ) arms necessarily means the peace of tin’ world is discounted, and it is maini tained that the reduction of armaments | must jieressa.riily b© achieved by proI gresri've and agreed stages.