Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Over 50 Years.] SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 1925. DISARMAMENT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 7 January 1928, Page 4

Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Over 50 Years.] SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 1925. DISARMAMENT.

Disarmament is again in the air. Conference after conference has assembled, debated and dispersed with nothing to show for its labours. In this connection, of course, the abortive Naval Conference of last June must be excluded from consideration; it, as was the Washington Conference, was held independently of the League. But only two months before another Disarmament Conference had met at Geneva under the auspices of the League and had proved a failure. This record is not one to inspire optimism. There is, however, another side to the question. The experience of past conferences is not necessarily conclusive, for the conditions in which they sat were radically different. The March Conference, for example, was overshadowed* by the approaching naval conference between Britain, America and Japan. The possibility, that an understanding might be reached by these rendered its deliberations premature. Plainly, if a lead were given by the three great naval Powers an atmosphere of confidence would be created in which others might be more easily induced to fall into line. Hence, attention was focussed on the _ future event, and but a languid interest Avas taken in the March Conference. the Avork of Avhich is uoav being resumed. Again, an obstacle to the success of previous conferences Avas the absence of Russia, wlio is uoav for the first time represented at disarmament discussions. The importance of this can scarcely be exaggerated. The chief opposition to the various proposals hitherto put forAvard has emanated from France, the leading military PoAver in Western Europe, and there is little doubt that the French atttiude has been dictated by suspicion of Russia. Many of the French, it is true, believe that Germany is unrepentant and vengeful, but as Germany has been disarmed by the Treaty, there is no immediate danger to be apprehended from that quarter. The Russian Government, on the other hand, frequently indulges in provocative allusions to “the Avar of the world revolution.” Russia has a large and Avell-diseiplined army. Russia, moreoA-er, marches on Poland, Czeclio-Slovakia and Ronmania, which are thus readily exposed to attack. Poland, indeed, actually Avas attacked by Russia some years ago. These States are allies of France, Avho is pledged to give them military aid. In the circumstances, France is naturally reluctant to assent to any substantial reduction in her forces unless Russia does likeAvise. Lately the Soviet has adopted a lofty moral tone in its communications to other PoAvers, and has rebuked them for their militaristic tendencies. It remains to be .seen Avhether these professions are genuine. If the Soviet is really anxious for disarmament there is ample scope for it at home.