DISARMAMENT.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19174, 3 December 1927, Page 16

DISARMAMENT.

THE PROTOCOL > AGAIN.

DISCUSSIONS AT GENEVA. (BI CiBLX-PBBSS iSSOCIATIOX-COPSttlGffl.) (AUSTRALIA* ASD *•»• ** D 8 ™ """^ GENEVA, December 1. The Security Committee elected Dr. Bones (Czecho Slovakia) president. M. Litvinoff (Russia) attended as an observer- , 31. l'olitis (Greece) defended the principles of the defunct protocol, and urged the Committee to re-ex-amine the objections thereto. Lord Cushendun, in reply, said: "1 am somewhat alarmed at tin. use of the word 'protocol, winch 1 would have avoided for lear ol anotlier avalanche of literature thereon Ho added that Groat Britain did not object to the examination or objections to the protocol, but doubted whether it would, be useful He emphasised that his replacing Lord Cecil did not involve any change in the British policy of promotion and encouragement of disarmament, arbitration, and security. He urged the necessity for practical measures instead of generalisations. Great Britain was anxious to arrive at a big result. The sitting was adjourned. The Russians have issued an addendum to M. Litvinoff's speech, which reiterates the arguments that the Great Powers, in then anxiety to rotain Colonial possessions and markets, caused the war, and emphasises tho resulting wastage of man-power and economic damage. It declared that the Soviet army was only one-third of tho size of tho Tsarist army, despite tho fa<-t that other armaments were increasing. It interprets Lord Cecil's recent statements as a proof that even tho Disarmament Conference produced strained relations, and adds that tho fear of a gigantic war, involving greater disasters and suffering, amply justified the Soviet's proposals, which provided the only solution.

THE RUSSIAN PROPOSALS.

MR BALDWIN QUESTIONED.

(AUSTEALIAN AKD S.Z. AND BUH CABLE.) (Received December 2nd, 8.20 p.m.)

LONDON. December 1

In the House of Commons, Mr T. Johnston (Labour) asked whether the Government was considering the Russian disarmament proposals. Mr Baldwin said his only information on the subject at present was derived from the newspapers. Until officially informed, lie would prefer not to comment, Mr Johnston: Before these important proposals are negatived, will an oportunity be given the House of Commons to discuss them? Mr Baldwin: I can add nothing to my previous answer. COMMENT IN JAPAN. (austbaliah axd n.z. cable association.) (Received December 2nd, 11.50 p.m.) TOKYO, December 2. The Soviet proposal at the Geneva Conference is treated by newspapers and leading politicians as brilliantly illustrating Russia's ancient diplomacy and cleverness in throwing a paralysing bomb into the Conference, from which Russia does not expect any result. The newspaper "Asahi" says: "The Soviet does. not believe in the practicability of its own proposal. Russia is not a member of the Security Committee, henco the proposals only serve to confuse tho whole proceedings." Viscount Goto is leaving on a visit to Russia and Germany. It is officially announced that his object is to cement the relationship of the three countries. Viscount Goto declared that lie regarded the Russian proposals at Geneva as a sincere demonstration of the guiding principle of Russia.

AMERICA'S ATTITUDE,

(AUBTBALIAN AND N , z . CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received December 2nd, 10.40 p.m.) WASHINGTON, December 1. The Government will decline the invitation to send an observer to the Geneva Security Conference, but will continue its participation in the Preparatory Commission on Disarmament, and attend any conference on the limitation of armaments growing out' of that Conference.