OUTLAWRY OF WAR.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 26 September 1927, Page 8

OUTLAWRY OF WAR.

FAVOURED EST ASSEMBLY.

"DISARMAMENT' ABOVE AL THINGS"

(Received Sunday, 5.5 p.m.) GENEVA, Sept. 24. With studied formality, the Assembly adopted Poland's motion outlawing all wars of aggression. The method of voting was by roll call, every nation being represented in order to make their unanimity more impressive.

This was but oue item of the business which occupied the Assembly the whole wet Saturday. Even eight hours of speech-making was found insufficient to deal with the recommendations on the disarmament debate which was adjourned until Monday. Dr. Stresemann (Germany) and M. Paail Boncour (France) were the chief speakers. The former's viewpoint may be summarised in a sentence—namely, that public opinion will judge the ieague by the manner in which it deals with disarmament, and if it succeeds in every other aspect of its work but fails in this it will be deemed a complete lailure. M. Boncour devoted an hour's eloquence in emphasising that the Protocol was unacceptable in its complete form. The League could not afford to fold arms .and accept a checkmate. Tariff Reductions Desirable. The Economic Conference's recommendations in favour of a reduction 0: tariff walls were adopted, following able and practical speeches by the Frenchman, M. Loucheur, the initiator, of the Economic Conference, the Britisher, Major Elliott, and the German, Doctor Breitscheid. Though Major Elliott most warmly supported the policy of freer play for economic forces, ho did so specifically as'applying to Europe and not to the overseas' Dominions. Dr. Breitscheid said he regretted that the recent Franco-German tariff-redue-ving trade agreement did not embrace four or five Powers instead of two.

At the sitting of the Coun\il of the League of Nations on September 7 the Polish delegate suggested an all-round pact to cover three pri: .dples, namely, a Protocol of security, arbitration and disarmament by providing for the outlawry of all forms of war; arbitration in all disputes; ~and the stabilisation or present armaments until a'reduction is possible. The international jurists sat until after midnight discussing the proposals. They reached an agreement which they submitted to the Assembly next day. Poland's proposals, as amended and handed to the heads of the Powers which signed the Treaty of Locarno, were as follows:

All wars of aggression to remain prohibited; the Assembly shall de elare it obligatory for members of the League to conform with this principle and in consequence the Assembly shall call upon the members of the League to conclude pacts of non-aggression, being inspired by the idea that all pacific means ought to be employed to settle their mutual

differences of whatsoever nature.

The Polish plan was opposed by the representatives of the Great Powers, who feel that Poland was seeking to use the League to establish permanently the status quo of Germany's Eastern frontier. Britain was said to be determined not to commit the Empire to further obligations in Eastern Europe beyond those included in the Covenant of the League and the Locarno Treaties.

NO AUTOMATIC AND BINDING UNDERTAKING TO USE FIGHTING FORCES.

(Received Sunday, 5.5 p.m.) GENEVA, Sept. 23. Lord Onslow, addressing the Third Committee, insisted that the mere fact. Uiat a member State specified the fighting forces which it could bring to the aid of the League on an outbreak oi war did not inipiy an automatic and binding undertaking to employ such t'orcesy which must always remain within the discretionary power of their own State. The Committee considered the report dealing with security, arbitration and disarmament, and the shape in which it should be presented to the Assembly tomorrow or Monday. It did not attempt to alter the terms ot Wednesday's resolution, but several •amendments were made with the object of not overlooking the move from the United States for an outlawry of war, without offering offence by appearing to try to induce her to partake in this Jnew branch of League activity. Eventually the report was so worded as to make it clear that membership of a new Committee will -be open to non-members as well as members of the League, as is membership of the Preparatory Committee. Dr. Benes (Czecho-Slovakia), t#ic chairman, summed up the CommitteeV work as follows: It has taken the principles of the 1924 Protocol one by one and adjusted them to existing conditions. The result has been satisfactory all round and has given us a programme of simultaneous inquiries regarding disarmament and security, offering a good chance of progress towards the goal we all have in mind.

GERMANY SIGNS HAGUE COURT OPTIONAL CLAUSES,

(Received Sunday, 5.5 p.m.) . GENEVA, Sept. 24. Amid applause the President of the

Assembly announced that Germany has signed the optional caluse of the Court of xVrbitration of The Hague.

SOVIET STOPPING OUT. (Received Sunday, 5.5 p.m.) GENEVA, Sept. 24. M. Tchitcherin informed the League Secretariat that the Soviet was not participating in the Import and Export Conference.

«* LET OTHER POWERS FOLLOW DISARMAMENT EXAMPLE OP GERMANY." DECLARES BTRESEMANN. (.Received Sunday, -11.5 p.m.) GENEVA, Sept. 25. Dr. Stresemann, in the course of his speech, said that if Germany, once the greatest military Power in the world, had been able to disarm, other Powers could follow her example.