A MODE TREATY TABLED AT GENEVA

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6551, 7 March 1928, Page 7

A MODE TREATY TABLED AT GENEVA

Judicial Settlement of International Disputes MOST DEFINITE EVENT TO DATE [By Electric Cable-Copyright] lAust end N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Tuesday, 10.15 p.m.) 1 ' GENEVA, March 6. The day was largely devoted to preliminary Conference discussion. The most definite event was the Arbitration and Security Committee’s producing a draft of a model treaty on judicial settlement by arbitration and conciliation. It consists of thirty-eight articles. Britain’s Difficulty, Lord Cushendun (Britain) in a lengthy explanation intimated that Britain could not accept the Optional Clause regarding submitting disputes in the International Court of Justice as her international relations were so complex. But ho hoped States with simpler relations would do so. France is thus far the-only great Power to sign the Optional Clause. U.S. Note to France There has been considerable comment in League circles on the United States’ note to France; the general impression being that America’s proposals need elucidation. When examined closely they do not reveal material difference from the League’s Covenant. It is freely stated that the United States could work more effectively for world peace by joining the League. Mussolini’s Aloofness. Prominent members of the Council also express the opinion that European peace would be on a safer basis if Signor Mussolini could bo Induced to take a personal part in the work of the League Council, Disarmament Delayed. Hopes that the first General Disarmament Conference might be held in 1928 have been shattered aa it Is announced that all resolutions adopted by the Security Commission will be subject to approval by the League’s Assembly. As the Assembly only meets in September the Disarmament Conference is impossible before 1929. Samoan Situation. The Mandates Commission announce that in view of the appointment of the Royal Commission to Investigate the situation in Western Samoa the Commission will not express an opinion regarding Samoan agitation, but will deal with the matter at the Juno session when the Royal Commission’s report will be available together with the New Zealand Government’s observations.