THE GENEVA PROTOCOL

Southland Times, Issue 19459, 26 January 1925, Page 5

THE GENEVA PROTOCOL

THOROUGH EXAMINATION. ATTITUDE OF HOME GOVERNMENT. OBLIGATIONS OF BRITISH NAVY. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright). (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, January 24. (Received January 25. 7.5 p.m' The diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Telegraph states that strong and well founded though the criticisms of the Overseas Domino us of the Geneva Protocol may be the Imperial Government is submitting it to a most conscientious and minute examination by the Cabinet’s sub-Ccmmittce on Imperial Defence. TTus sub-Committee held a prolonged meeting to-day. The effects of ’ rticles relating to the operations of the junctions needs very close scrutiny from the viewpoint of the Empires fighting forces, for the Navy may be more frequently called upon than that of any other Power to intervene on behalf of the League in order to blockade the Covenant breakers. The question of the cost of such blockades and the risk of their embroiling Britain with the United States needs very close examination. The alternative policies of the Mutual Pact with the Western Powers and a direct pact with France and Belgium are being closely reviewed. The Government is submitting the views thereupon to the Overseas Dominions. . Sir lan Hamilton, addressing the British Legion, said that the bite of 1914 had hardly begun to heal before there was talk of Geneva Protocols, actually pledging them, under certain quite possible circumstances, to go to war again. CANADIAN ATTITUDE. INVESTIGATING THE PROTOCOL. OTTAWA, January 2-. (Received January 25, 7.5 p.m.) The attitude of the Canadian Government awards the Geneva Protocol on disarmament is now the subject of correspondence with the British authorities. There has been some consideration of the Protocol by Cabinet, but it is probable that Parliamentary discussion will be invited before a definite stand is taken. It is understood that there is some difference of opinion in the Cabinet over the Protocol, more particularly with regard to the Japanese amendment. Parliament will open on February 5.