ARBITRATION AND SECURITY CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 123, 22 February 1928, Page 11

ARBITRATION AND SECURITY CONFERENCE

SPIRIT OF OPTIMISM PREVAILS “DEFINITE PROGRESS ABOUT TO BE ACHIEVED” NOVEL PROPOSAL BY LORD CUSHENDUN The opening of the conference of the Committee on Arbitration and Security at Geneva was marked by a spirit of optimism. The British viewpoint was expounded by Lord Cushendun, who pointed out that the British Government pinned its faith to'agreements on the Locarno model. Lord Cushendun concluded by making the novel proposal that the committee should endeavour to draw up a Locarno treaty for application to some region of the world.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright.

(Rec. February 21, 8.15 p.m.) Geneva, February 20: Twenty-two States attended the opening of the conference of the Committee on Arbitration and Security. The Soviet. was represented by an observer. A spirit of optimism prevailed. The impression is that definite progress is at last about to be achieved. This is probably due to the fact that the problem has been brought down to the realm of realism. Certain League members see the British viewpoint more closely, while the Prague Committee accomplished valuable work in ridding the mass of original suggestions from much dross. Dr. Benes (Czecho-Slovakia), who presided, . declared that it was abundantly apparent that security was not realisable by anv single uniform project, but rather by .■ series of political and juridical measures meeting divergent situations in various countries. Lord Cushendun emphasised that Britain’s view was that the League Covenant h a d

given a measure of security, and the committee should stress this fundamental principle. Britain favoured the Finnish proposal to assist the victims of aggression. He recalled that Britain had a century’s experience with arbitration, notably A n g 1 o-American. Britain would freely support treaties of arbitration and conciliation, for which Locarno was the best model, although a modification might be necessary in special cases. The committee should realise that unless the session achieved a practical

measure, giving the nations a greater sense of security, there was little hope of doing anything useful. Unless the League Covenant afforded such security against a recurrence of war the failure must be admit-

ted. He was not prepared to make such an admission. The Covenant did not preclude supplementary security measures. Pie was convinced the best measures would be security pacts between States in the same geographical areas such as the Locarno pact. The British Government felt most strongly that the Locarno agreements did represent the best model. Lord Cushendun then made the novel proposal that the committee endeavour during its present session to draw up a Locarno treaty for application to some region of the world. The Soviet submitted to the League a draft convention for general disarmament based on the proposals of M. Litvinoff submitted on November 30. The draft will be considered at coming meetings of the Disarmament Preparatory Commission..—A.l’.A. and "Sun.” MERE PROHIBITION OF WARS NOT SUFFICIENT GERMAN DELEGATE’S VIEWS The German delegate, Herr Von Simson, in a half-hour’s speech, said it would be dangerous to create the impression that there was at present no security; but a mere prohibition of wars of aggression was not sufficient. It would be necessary to establish procedure for the pacific settlement of every form of dispute, including political, and conciliation seemed a suitable method, though lie was still convinced disarmament was the best means of ensuring security. He added that the League Council should have means to enforce an obligatory armistice in the event of hostilities actually breaking out. The Japanese delegate, Baron Sato, announced that his Government was at present engaged in the revision of the reservations. He generally attacked arbitration treaties. The Polish delegate, M. Sokol, like other speakers, emphasised the connection between security and disarmament.

When the committee adjourned there was a general opinion that the British viewpoint would probably be accepted. The Russian draft, deposited by an observer, Boris Stein, consists of eighty or ninety typewritten foolscap sheets.