DISARMAMENT

Southland Times, Issue 20446, 26 March 1928, Page 7

DISARMAMENT

GENEVA DISCUSSIONS SUPPORT FOR SOVIET’S SCHEME NEW PROPOSALS TO BE SUBMITTED (By Telegraph—Press Assn—Copyright.) Geneva, March 23. Tewfik Rushdi alone rallied to M. Litvinoff’s aid and demanded that the Disarmament Commission should consider the Soviet’s plan with a view to finding the best means of approaching the desired ideal. Mr Gibson, the United States representative, said that as the result of sounding the delegates he was of opinion that sufficient agreement had not been reached to justify beginning the second reading of the report. It was better to leave the convening to the President’s discretion, perhaps in July or August. The Russians persisted that the debate had not proved the Soviet proposals impractical, but the chairman tabled a motion that while the proposals harmonized with mankind’s ideal they were incapable of being executed in the existing world conditions. This was only realizable by methods of pacific procedure and by systematic organizations and sanctions being strengthened, therefore, the work must proceed on the lines already mapped out. Meanwhile members of the Governments will examine the Soviet plans. Count Bernstorff revealed a new German viewpoint that her disarmament was contrary to the League Covenant and had not left her sufficient forces to discharge her obligations thereto. M. Litvinoff rose late in the afternoon and announced that to-morrow he was submitting new proposals for the parties giving up armaments and invited an immediate discussion.

Member Loudon replied that it was absolutely impossible for the commission to consider any new project at present. The session proceedings eventually became so confused that delegates welcomed the proposal to adjourn until torday. Lord Cushenden, in an interview with journalists, said he had in his possession and could produce figures showing the enormous expense the Soviet had incurred in furnishing China with arms, which was sufficient proof of the Soviet’s desire to provoke civil war.—A. and N.Z. RUSSIAN PROPOSALS OUTLINED. REDUCTION OF ARMED FORCES. COMMISSION’S SITTING CONCLUDED. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Geneva, March 24. The Soviet delegation has distributed a new scheme for partial progressive disarmament comprising a reduction of land, sea and air forces and also the international control of disarmament. The scheme divides the countries into four groups, of which countries possessing 200,000 troops reduce by half, and the next group with 40,000 reduce by a third. The same system is applied to navies. Thus countries with 200,000 tonnage reduce by half and less than 200,000 reduce by a quarter. The scheme also advocates the abolition within twelve months of all military aircraft. There is not the slightest chance of the scheme being discussed at the present session. It is generally felt that it had been prepared before the delegates’ arrival at Geneva in the event of the earlier proposals not being supported. Lord Cushenden has addressed a Note to the American, French and Japanese representatives of the Disarmament Commission explaining that when replying to M. Litvinoff he was compelled to refer indefinitely to British readiness to reduce the size of capital ships. He was now able to reveal the British proposals. Firstly, a reduction of battleships from 35,000 tons to under 30,000; secondly, a reduction of guns from 16ins. to 13.2 ins, thirdly, extended life from 20 to 26 years or thereabouts involving the waiving of powers and rights under the Washington Treaty. He urges that the reductions, if accepted, should be introduced to produce effect before replacement under the treaty, and adds that the proposals are a great step towards disarmament and ensure considerable economies. The Disarmament Commission ended cordially after a day spent in discussing the German proposal to fix a definite date for the Disarmament Conference, which was rejected, and wording a resolution shelving M. Litvinoff's draft convention. It deleted the words: “the Soviet draft corresponds with, the ideal of mankind, but under the existing conditions is incapable of execution.”

M. Litvinoff was disappointed and reiterated that he did not see why the commisaion should decline the first reading. The resolution was eventually adopted. It declared that “the draft is not acceptable. The commission must pursue the lines already mapped out, but promises to consider the new Soviet draft next session which, if possible, will precede the next Assembly.” The chairman, in a valedictory speech, said he hoped the Soviet would then come in a constructive, not a destructive spirit. M. Litvinoff paid a tribute to the League Secretariat’s work, especially the disarmament section, Lord Cushenden remarking that it was the first time they had pleasure in associating themselves with M. Litvinoff.— (Laughter). INDEPENDENT LABOUR’S ATTITUDE. London, March 23. The annual report of the Council of the Independent Labour Party at the Norwich Conference says the bold Soviet proposals to the League have given a great impetus to the discussion of international disarmament. The party should do its utmost to inform public opinion of the importance of the proposals compelling the League adequately to consider the matter.—A. and N.Z.