League of Nations

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 39, 12 September 1930, Page 5

League of Nations

GETTING TO BUSINESS. DISARMAMENT PROGRESS. UNITED STATE’S OF EUROPE Press Association —Copyright. (Received 12.30 p.m.) GENEVA, September 11. The Assembly’s eagerness t 0 get clown' to principal topics instead ol wasting the earlier days in flowery platitudes from the representatives of smaller states led M. Briand to ake the rostrum in the forenoon to expound on the United States of Europe plan'. He said he had discussed the scheme with leadiug Americans, who said it would be an insult to their intelligence to suggest a federation aimed against America, contrariwise it would tend to strengthen the consumptive capacity of Europe which was America’s largest customer. Cheers greeted the announcement that definite progress had. been made in solving the Fi’anco-Italian naval disagreement. Mr Henderson rather increased th e view that no great x’esult could he expected from the plan of European federation! He only gave the subject passing reference before he delivered his prepared oration dealing with disarmament, which *is nearer, the MacDonald Ministry’s heart. Mr Henderson’s real message consisted of one of the strongest British plans for real progress iri disarmament ever heard at Geneva. Although it is his first attendance at the League, Sir Thomas Wilford was honoured by election to the Assembly’s Committee of Seven. Six Thomas Wilford also is on six other committees. At the plenary meeting of the Assembly, M. Briand, ixx an optimistic speech, declared the League was increasing in authority among the nations of the world. It was a barrier against war. There were still difficulties ceg siding disarmament, hut France was doing its best to - overcome them. He rea.lised there were obstacles to his plan for an European federation, but with cordial co-operation of all nations these could be surmounted.