DISSENSION AT GENEVA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19607, 8 April 1927, Page 11

DISSENSION AT GENEVA.

ARMAMENTS DISCUSSION. ITALIAN DELEGATE ANGRY. PRIVATE AGREEMENT ISSUE. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. (Received April 7, 5.5 p.m.) A, and N.Z. LONDON. April 7. Lively passages followed the resumption 'of the proceedings of the Preparatory Commission on Disarmament. General di Marinis apparently felt slighted by the private discussions between M. Paul Boncour (France) and Viscount Cecil (Britain) relating to naval disarmament, as indicated yesterday. He said it would bo a mistake to imagine that once an agreement had been reached the remainder of the members of | the Commission would bo prepared to accept it. On the contrary the delegates would probably refer the matter to their Governments. Lord Cecil intervened hastily to assure General di Marinis there was no intention of forcing upon the commission any agreement reached privately. General di Marinis did not seem to be satisfied, whereupon M. Boncour rose and protested that no private negotiations had been in progress. He said he had simply submitted to Lord Cecil in writing a formula based on the previous day's discussion. Lord Cecil, who had previously told the press he was negotiating privately with M. Boncour, remained silent. General di Marinis continued to argue the point and the commission adjourned after two hours of disputation. Later the German delegates submitted a formal proposal demanding a limitation of military material, including rifles and machine-guns, all classes of howitzers and mortars other than artillery, tanks, and .armoured cars, as well as ammunition, for them. The Commission considered proposals to lifnit expenditure on armaments. Mr. H. Gibson, United States, opposed these, on the grounds that they were impracticable and inequitable. He argued in favour of a direct limitation of armaments. He said budgetary figures were not sufficient as a criterion of a .limitation or otherwise of armaments. Count Bernstorff (Germany) also opposed Budget limitations.