ARMAMENTS COMMISSION'S REPORTS

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 15 December 1920, Page 5

ARMAMENTS COMMISSION'S REPORTS

DISARMAMENT A SLOW AND

DIFFICULT PROCESS

INTERNATIONAL COURTS

REPORT ADOPTED. BY CABLE -PRESS ASSOCIATION— COPYRIGHT (Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received Dec. 15, 9.15 a.m ) | GENEVA; Dec. 14. The Armaments Commission's reports were submitted in the registrar's most solemn way. They believe in the vital necessity <of reducing the burden of .armaments, although it is recognised that a comprehensive scheme is impossible. If once originated in the world's disturbed condition, progress j must be effected by successive stages, (l)By a general agreement not to exceed the present scale of armaments ; (2) By a proportionate and simultaneous reduction of existing military budgets; (3) By a scientific and comprehensive reduction under the League's supervision to the lowest point compatible with national security. The Commission recognises, however, that while great military Powers remain outside the League's orbit, hard and fast budgetary reduction is encom- . passed with difficultiesj and the full I convention protocol in regard to traffic in arms is hindered by the absence of authority to control the export of arms. The Assembly unanimously adopted the* report on International Courts. In the Assembly of the League Mr Balfour said that if in a hasty spirit they tried to force nations into the League's mould, the latter would break and inflict a^fatal blow on the greatest instrument tlie world had yet contrived for carrying out international justice. The German Foreign Minister has written to the League refusing to recognise the Council's decision regarding the plebiscite in connection with Eupen dnd Malmedy. He declares that the decision rests with the Assembly alone, and furni&bed proofs that the vote was determined by intimidation, the abuse of official power and -threats of reprisals. Germany therefore expects that the plebiscite will be declared invalid.