DISARMAMENT.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19268, 24 March 1928, Page 15

DISARMAMENT.

SOVIET ARTICLES. M. LITVINOFF OUTLINES POLICY (BT CABLE —PRESS ASSOCIATION—COFTBIGHT.) (ACSTBALIA* AND K.X CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received March 23rd, 9 p.m.) GENEVA, Marcii 22.

M. Litvinoff's annoyance at Lord C'ushenden'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 tue British policy. He said, with regard to Lord Cusheuden's demand as to whether Russia had changed her policy of interfering in the internal affairs of others, he would draw attention to the presence of llritish troops and fleets in Chinese cities and ports, and also the recent Notes to Persia. He countered Lord Cushenden's question about fomenting civil war with the statement that he might refer to the existence in many countries of an organisation or bureau of Russian emigrants which forge documents against the Soviet. One of these was known as the Zinovieff letter, already historic in England. Ho decjared that the British and others had done nothing to settle questions which rendered it impossible for the Commission to undertake a second reading of the Soviet's project. This might well be described as sabotage. Nevertheless, the Soviet, though it had lio intention of joining the League, was determined to take a most active part in the work of the Commission. When other nations failed in taking the initiative in disarmament, the Soviet would take it; that was why they had presented! the project. It. would bo a blessing if the Commission would agree to tTio abolition of armaments. They should be willing to sacrifice the articles of Covenant standing in the way. Ho 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 expressed wish to participate in tho League's efforts should bo sufficient proof of sincerity. He again asked acceptance ol' the principle of total disarmament. If it was accepted they could study it article by article; if rejected, he would not ask for further consideration.

[Lord Cushenden, at the opening ot the Disarmament Commission .it Geneva, treated the Soviet proposals for world disarmament as worthy <>l analysis—a method that proved mos: destructive. He iirst raised the question as to their originality and imagination and then proceeded to discuss and criticise each article in turn for !)0 minutes.]

A PROPAGANDA EFFORT. (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLK ASSOCIATION.) (Received March 23rd 10.15 p.m.) GENEVA, March 22. At the preparatory Disarmament Conference M. Clauzcl pointed out that de-

clarations of delegates left no doubt of their attitude. Out of nineteen' speakers only Count Bcrns'torff supported the Soviet plan. M. Litvinoff apparently wanted martyrdom, but he should be satisfied with the number of darts he had received. What the League jvanted was to end all war, civil and international.

He concluded by seconding Lord Cushenden's proposal that the Soviet plan be referred to the various Governments and iii tho meantime a meeting bo convoked before the September Assembly for the purpose of a second reading of the Commission's draft of a disarmament project in \ connexion with which the Powers are now in agreement on disputed points. The feeling in the lobbies is that M. Lltvinoff's oration wag another propaganda effort, tho Soviet at present evidently being anxious to keep in touch with the rest of tho world through disarmament and economic conferences.