DISARMAMENT.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19175, 5 December 1927, Page 9

DISARMAMENT.

FRANCO-JUGOSLAVIAN TREATY. •M. MARKOVITCH'S SPEECH. (HI CABLK-rRBSS ASSPCUTIOX-COrtRIOHT.) (AUSTRALIAN AND K t CI M.J ASSOCIATION.) (Received December 4th, !>."> p.m.) GENEVA, December 2. After M, Litvinoff's pyrotechnics on Wednesday, the Security Commission is proceeding unruffled, as if the new eounseller had not Unshed across tho horizon. It quietly laid down the method of procedure, and created sopnrnto subcommittees to deal with—First: Arbitration agreements; second: security agreements; and third: articles of covenant. Tho Jugo Slavian, M. Mnrkoviteh, subtly mentioned the Franco-JugoSlav Treaty in the samo breath as the ltaloAlbanian Treaty,' and went, to some, pains to emphasise that tho former was within the scope of tho League. "Wo signed it," he declared, "because wo felt that even though n member of the* Loaguo our security was not assured. It is a sad mistake'to nssumo that tho security question may bo solved in tho strict, ntmosphoro of a Law Court." M. Markovitch went on to point out tho exceptional assurances tho Loaguo hail given to Albanin, yet tho latter had iust formed a defensive nllinnoo with Italy. Count Bornstorff (Germany) rounded off a full-throated promiso of Germany's co-operation in tho suppression of war through tho medium of complete security by claiming spocial consideration of A'rticlo 10, doaling with tho revision of treaties. This was an obvious reminder that Germany later will seek tho revision of tho Versailles Treaty. Lord Cushondun droppod a timely hint that the second aub-eommittea would try to define tho meaning of tho word "security" in relation to geographical factors. Finally, at Count Bornstorff's sugges. tion, the reconvening of tho Commission was left in tho hands of tho Pre. paratory Commission on Disarmament, to which three sub-committees will report not later than January Ist, and thus assist tho Assembly's desiro that tho Disarmament Conference shall meet bofore September. Tho Commission wound up its discussions in the happiest spirit, and left tho way clear for Monday's Council meeting, concerning which diplomats are agog over the impending dramatio confronting of Marshal Pilsudßkl and Professor Valdemaras, the Lithuanian Premier. , In tho afternoon Lord Cushendun recoived British Pressmen and made tho statement that Britain's policy regnrding disarmament, was unchanged, wo are already disarmed," ho said. "Wo had a completer supremacy of the sens after tho war than at any time slnco Trafalgar, but immediately scrapped 2,000,000 tons of ships, partly from motives of economy and partly owing to a desire to dispense with offensive forces. We abandoned two arsenals and two naval bases and practically scrappod our Air Force, which has sinco been resuscitated. We have abolished conscription and reduced our Army to the level of an Imperial Police Force. Therefore, we have little left to offer in tho way of disarmament. As we have done voluntarily what others are being asked to do, it is impossible to define security. Britain cannot accept diffused engagements. She is bound to take account of the sentiments of the Dominions. Therefore, it is impossible for her rigidly to define her policy h* forehand.

M. LITVINOFP.

(Received December 4th, 6.8 p.m.) GENEVA, December 2. M. Litvlnoff has postponed departure till Monday. It is presumed that hj« hopes to meet; Sir Austen Chamberlain. r ALLEGATION AGAINST POLAND, GENEVA, Docembor 2. Professor Valdemaras, in a lengthy Note to the League of Nations, alleged that ho possessed information that Poland attempted to uso a congress of Lithuanian political refugees to install a new Government at Kovno, headed by the ex-leader of tho Social Democrats, M. Pleckartis. Marshal Pilsudski, Pre* mier of Poland, with a view to assist, ing, enquired the number of days the military roquirod to reach Kovno and establish a now order. USE OF GAS. l (Received December 6th, 12.30 a.m.) GENEVA, December 4. M. Litvinoff announces that he has signed the Soviet's adhesion to the protocol condemning tho use in war. time of poisonous and asphyxiating gas.