DISARMAMENT STEPS

Northern Advocate, 9 June 1933, Page 5

DISARMAMENT STEPS

DISCUSSION ADJOURNED BRITISH DRAFT CONVENTION. BASTS FOB FUTURE TREATY. (British Official Wireless.) (Received E.'ffi p.m.) RUGBY. June S. Throughout the day eon versatiom v.-ere held at Paris between the British 1 French and American represental ives The Marquis of Londonderry, Secretary for Air, and Captain IE A. Eden (Britain), Mr Norman Davis (America), M. Daladier, M. Paul Boncour and M. Leyguef (France) took part. A communique states that the representatives of the three governments exchanged views in a confidential and friendlv spirit respecting the present situation of tin* Disarmament Conference and what remains to be done to assure its success. The General Commission has adjourned until duly 1. The Japanese announced 1 acceptance of the prohibition of aerial bombing, subject to the abolition of aircraft carj riers, also of the agreement preventing civil aircraft being used for military purposes in war time. The British and American delegates objected to the Japanese introducing five issues which should be examined bv the Permanent Disarmament Com mission. The General Commission accepted the British draft convention as the basis for a future disarmament treaty. FOUR-POWER PEACE PACT. PURPOSES EXPLAINED. LEAGUE COVENANT ADJUNCT. (British Official Wireless.) (Received 1..°>0 p.m.) RUGBY, June S. A despatch from Sir John Simon t?f the 1 British Ambassador at Rome, commenting on the aim and purpose of the “Four-Power agreement of understanding and co-operation, ” is included in a White Paper containing the text of that document, issued tonight. The despatch states: “Throughout the.-negotiations wo made it clear that the proposed agreement should in no sense be regarded as substitute for, or a« set in opposition to, the Covenant ot the League. It is not a piece of rival or competing machinery, but is framed for tbe purpose of operating within the ambit of the Covenant, and is intended to aid in maintenance of the principles for which the League stands. The methods and procedure which may fail to he studied or adopted under the agreement, are strictly in. accordance with the spirit of the covenant, ’ ’ Sir John Simon also emphasises that the proposed agreement was never intended lo invoke any attempt oh the part of the Four Powers to 'impose their will on other States. Equal Eights. Such a conception would be entirely foreign to the principles of the covenant, which recognised the equal rights ot all States, just as In appropriate eases it required their unanimity. “I have been at pains to explain the attitude of His Majesty's Government in this matter to the representatives of other Powers, and particularly to Belgium, Poland and the Little Entente," said Sir John. “By the form which the proposed agreement is likely to assume, I am confident that any such erroneous impression will bo completely eradicated. In this connection I may refer in particular to the last paragraph of the preamble to the agreement, which specifically states that the four Powers are mindful of the rights of every State which cannot ho affected without lit; 1 consent of an Interested party. “There can, therefore, be no possible doubt that the object of the agreement is to ensure over many years lo come l-I.nl Pvoumi flnvmnu lio 1 w nud miv

t j 1111 rittiiri'i vniiuuij iin i > .mu umsolves may agree in Europe upon the same policy of pence. That is the object which must bo generally approved, ami it is entirely consistent with tlfe aim ami spirit oi‘ the League Covenrant, ami with duo respect for the rights 'of other Powers.” ■Sir John points out that the agree mont. which contemplated quadlitoral examination in respect of methods of procedure is expressly stated to be "without prejudice to decisions whieh can only be taken by the regular organs of the League of Xntions.” GRACEFUL GESTURE.

MUSSOLINI PARDONS SPY. 1 {Peceived Li a.m.) POME, June s. As a s| *('<■ im 1 o'estnro to Franco, following the instm 11 inlv of I lie FonrPuwer Pad, Signor Mnsoolini lias pardoned Professor diaries Eydoux, iiead of the French Military Academy, who was sentenced to five years’ imprison ini'iil on February 1, and his secretary, Mis« Ponneford, to three years for espionage on the Ynyoslav-Italian frontier, after one of the most remarkable trials since the War. Under a recent amnesty Fydonx’s sentence was reduced to two years and Mio; i Bouneford was liberated.