WORLD’S POLICEMAN

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11933, 13 September 1924, Page 5

WORLD’S POLICEMAN

BRITISH FLEET’S NEW ROLE MOMENTOUS QUESTIONS RAISED IN LEAGUE OF NATIONS. ENFOROING ARBITRATION. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.— Copyright. {Sydney "Sun” Cable.) (Received September 12,.9.15 p.m.) GENEVA, September 11. The Third Committee of the League of Nations has commenced consideration of the constitutional and legal aspect of the articles of the Covenant relating to international disputes and the Court of Arbitration. Sir Cecil Hurst, in outlining the British difficulties, wanted a more precise definition to ascertain whether, in the event of tho League calling up the forces of all powers and enforcing arbitration, it would necessitate the British fleet patrolling the seas and protecting neutrals. In extending the League’s force to the ocean highways, and preventing trade with the enemy, the fleet would almost certainly thereby Como into conflict with other nations. WHICH IS THE AGGRESSOR? Britain wanted the Covenant defined clearly to provide that if, having accepted the compulsory arbitration clause, her fleet, at the League’s command, undertook certain action, it would not later be called to the Court because the action violated some Powers’ rights. The clause must be defined to prevent Britain, while protecting an attacked country, becoming herself the aggressor. M. Loucheur (France) hoped there would be fewer neutrals and fewer .wars. Though Britain was once regarded as the tyrant of the seas, the war years had shown what a good tyrant the fleet was. The British Dominion delegates conferred, and agreed with the general trend of Sir Cecil Hurst’s speech.