MAIN PRINCIPLES ASSURED

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 124, 23 February 1928, Page 11

MAIN PRINCIPLES ASSURED

ARBITRATION AND SECURITY CONFERENCE FRENCH SUPPORT FOR LORD CUSHENDUN SPECULATION REGARDING MOSCOW PLAN Lord Cushendun’s views on the interdependence of security and armaments have been endorsed at the conference on arbitration and security by M. Paul Boncour, the French delegate. M, Benes, the president of the conference, is reported to possess a draft scheme for an international armament holiday, but it is uncertain whether he will produce it. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Copyright. (Rec. February 22, 9.35 p.m.) Geneva, February 21 It became increasingly evident at today’s sitting that where disagreement may yet arise it will not affect the main principles. General de Marinis (Italy) declared that all nations should negotiate bilateral treaties of arbitration and nonaggression with all neighbours. This would eliminate the majority of the causes of possibilities of war. Nevertheless, Italy was willing to co-operate in regional agreements, as indicated by her signature at Locarno. M Boncour (France) ably expounded the French views, and endorsed Lord Cushendun’s remarks on the interdependence of security and armaments. France favoured arbitration in which the nation which refused to arbitrate would be regarded as an aggressor. The Locarno Pact should be extended to other States. M. Boncour added that failing a general agreement regional treaties of the Locarno type were the best means of increasing security Herr Enrik (Finland) urged the conclusion of arbitration treaties, as Sweden and Norway advocated.

After Herr Erick spoke the conference adjourned. There was much speculation regarding M. Benes, who is reported to have in his pocket a draft scheme for an international armament holiday, but connot make np his mind whether to produce it or not. It is understood that M. Benes would like to say, "Don’t scrap anything, but cease building until a world disarmament conference.” Meantime it is reported that Moscow’s plan is drafted in an interesting form. It is said to propose that the nations disarm, not immediately, but within four years of the adoption of a model treaty, which the Soviet has deposited with the League. PRESIDENT’S REMARKS WELCOMED AID FOR VICTIMS OF AGGRESSION. Rugby, February 21. Lord Cushendun, expressing the British view at the first meeting at Genoa yesterday of the Arbitration and Security Committee, welcomed the remarks of the president, M. Benes, in his introductory memorandum that “the Covenant to create a measure of security needs to be appreciated at its full value.” The fact that the Covenant ■iould be applied in a majority of cases to prevent war was a fundamental one to be recognised by the committee. Lord Cushendun said he entirely approved the proposal for local security pacts, which the president had stated must be regarded at the moment as the onlv practical form of supplementary guarantee for nations which consider the Covenant inadequate. The British Government thought the Locarno Treaties offered the best model which it would be hoped to follow. He thought the Finnish Government’s proposal for financial aid to a State which was a victim of aggression was regarded by the British Government as a great inducement to preservation of peace quite apart from its value after the outbreak ol war. Great Britain was prepared to support this proposal. Lord Cushendun also paid a tribute to the Swedish draft agreement, which might be taken as a basis of discussion. —British Official Wireless.