A RANK OUTSIDER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20104, 24 March 1928, Page 7

A RANK OUTSIDER

M. LITVINOFFS FANCY Soviet Scheme Finds Only One Supporter ANOTHER PROPAGANDA EFFORT. Received Alarch 23, 11 p.m. (A. & N.Z.) GENEVA, Alarch 22. At the Preparatory Disarmament Conference Al. Clauzel pointed out that the declarations of delegates left nG doubt of their attitude. Out of 19 speakers only Count Bemstorff supported the Soviet plan. M. Litvinoff apparently wanted, martyrdom, but he should be satisfied with the number of darts received. What tile League wanted was to end all war, civil and international.

Al. Clauzel concluded by seconding Lord Cushendun’s proposal that the Soviet plan be referred to the Governments in the meantime, the meeting to be convoked before the September Assembly for the purpose of the second reading of the Commission’s draft of the disarmament project, in connection with which the Powers are now in agreement on the disputed points. Feeling in the lobbies is that Al. Litvinoff’s oration was another propaganda effort, the Soviet at present evidently being anxious to keep in touch with the rest of the world through the Disarmament and Economic Conferences. Litvinoff Attacks Britain Al. Litvinoff’s annoyance at Lord Cushendun’s scathing denunciation of the Soviet’s proposals was evident in the fact that he devoted the greater part of his reply to an attack on the British policy.

He said he would draw attention to the presence of British troops and fleets in Chinese cities and ports, also the recent notus to Persia. He countered, Lord Cushendun’s question about fomenting civil war with the statement that he might refer to the existence in many countries of organisations or bureau of Russian emigrants wh*> forged documents against the Soviet, one of these being known as the Zinovieff letter, already historic in England- He declared that the British and others had done nothing to settle the questions which rendered it impossible for the Commission to undertake the second, reading of the {Soviet’s project. This might well be described as sabotage. Nevertheless the Soviet, though it had no intention of joining the League,

was determiner! to take a most active part in the work of the Commission. When the nations failed in taking the initiative in disarmament, the Soviet would take it. That was why they had presented the project. It. would be a blessing if the Commission would agree to the abolition of armaments, and they should be willing to sacrifice the articles of the Covenant standing in the way.

AL Litvinoff reminded the Commission that the Soviet had never made war on anyone. It was a fact that the Soviet had no obligation under the Covenant and.her express wish to participate in the League’s efforts should be sufficient proof of her sincerity. He again asked the acceptance of the principal of total disarmaments. If that were accepted, they could study it, article by article. If it were rejected he would not ask for further consideration.