FOR WORLD PEACE

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20183, 11 March 1931, Page 9

FOR WORLD PEACE

f RATIFICATION of general ACT, x PACIFIC settlement of DISPUTES. ' (bkit|sh omcui wib^less.) BUGBY, March 9. In the House of Commons Mr Arthur Henderson '(Foreign Secretary) asked approval for the ratification by the British, Government, . subject to the four conditions enunciated in the recent White Paper,* of the General Act for the Pacific Settlement of international Disputes. He said this would complete the country's acceptance of arbitration for all classes of international disputes, subject to certain reservations. The Government regarded ratification of the ■ General Act as an important, part of the preparation for the success of the coming Disarmament Conference, which, it was believed, by its results woujd determine the future course of events in Europe. t Referring to an amendment moved later by • Sir Außten Chamberlain (exConservative Foreign Minister), Mr Henderson said be could, not agree that acceptance of the General Act would diminish the authority of the League Council. Sir Austen Chamberlain observed that the United , states, the author of the Pact of Paris, did not share the view that it needed other measures to give it foTce. He maintained that the effect of the Gentir&l Act would be to withdraw from the League Council questions, with which it was specially competent to deal, - and to encourage frivolous claims and; create trouble. Sir Herbert Samuel said that the General Act, instead of superseding either the Covenant-of the League or the. CounciPs functions, was; the League's own proposal to the world for Settling disputes. The Government had properly reserved the in certain cases to invoke the conciliation of tho Council instead of arbitration. The acceptance of Sir Austen Chamberlain's, amendment .would leave the international maehuiery patently incomplete, would amazer the peace-loving Dominions, would, create the.iwpxeaaion • that thera was a sinister purpose-which they were ashamed tos confess, would strengthen the reactionary and militarist elements throughout the world, and pre-, jucjice the Disarmament Conference. He ' admitted that there were some risks in arbitration,; but if we refused them ■vye ■were accepting the risks of war. r ~ Sir Ahaten Chafmherlain ■ asked if territorial questions)) or our position in Egypt, or the defcire of some ether Power to tajte over our Palestine mandate could be referred to arbitrators? The most diffl- ■ -cult and' dangerous international disputes were not legal questions. Why ,did - the League Obuncil Covenant exist,' if not to deal with such issues? If .these were taken away they raightjas well tear the Covenant to pieces. The Government was asking the nation to take riaks ator the most vital interests which it-would, not take in its own Pftrtv affairs, 1 ' "Sir Austep Chamberlain's* amendment was negatived by 231- votes to 139. The. text.'of Sir Austen Chamberlain'a amendment * has not been received.' STRENGTH OF FRANCE'S ARMY. '.i GERMAN % .Mmi^XER»S,: COMPLAINT. v.. 1 * BSBLEST, J«ar«hJ®. ■'■Offerr Groener (Minister for Defence), Pleading the Army Estimates in the Keioluitag, hinted at, the .possibility of ? Gerapstny Repudiating the, diiarmament clauseiof • tho Versailles Treaty unless r : FxMW' tfidueed her. military 1 accordance therewith, ,He_ declared'that t the French Army was at present the wwld'» stroftgest «ul best flapped war instrument, owinrf to the intensity of the training, tho strength of her rel^res,. and the. quality Of the; Amy'» .equipment,,! ."The Treaty .htads JP<**ew aa yell a# 4isafcnamenj(;,'' he-declared* We aema&d therftjlflfcaent, ofihe pledge in the Sests of peace andWopean rccon--1 s£ructi6n. Germany is willing to-ope<ate-in every'kind of disarmament i uWta&en' q* ft bosisof m equality of \ j.* ( . ,* ' 1 * ) , ' 'f</ , ;