CHALLENGE TO DISARM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20128, 13 December 1928, Page 13

CHALLENGE TO DISARM.

RUSSIA ANSWERS FRANCE.

LETTER SENT TO LEAGUE.

PLEDGE TO DISBAND ARMY.

Australian and N.Z. Press Association. MOSCOW. Deo. 11

As a reply to the challenge of the French Foreign Minister, M. Brian/1, who stated in the Chamber of Deputies on November 27 that when the Soviet disarmed France would do the same, Litvinoff, Deputy-Commissar of Foreign Affairs, addressing the. Soviet Central Executive, made the following statement:— "If M. Poinca>"e is serious and sincere, he need merely suggest a meeting of the Preparatory Commission on Disarmament, when I will solemnly repeat my pledge to disband the Red Army, in conformity with our draft disarmament conventions. But candidly I doubt M. Poincare's readiness to attempt the experiment." Litvinoff has sent a letter to the-. Preparatory Disarmament Commission of the League of Nations, proposing the speedy summoning ot the sixth session, to allow of a discussion on the Soviet's previous draft disarmament convention.

Incidentally, Litvinoff condemns "the lamentable results" that have followed the action of a few of the Powers in privately negotiating disarmament, because brings in the principle of the establishment of individual limitation, and lacks a criterion which would be acceptable all over the world.