SECURITY CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 126, 25 February 1928, Page 9

SECURITY CONFERENCE

LORD CUSHENDUN TAKES THE INITIATIVE DEFINITE PROPOSALS PUT FORWARD AGAINST HANKERING AFTER GENERAL PACT The initiative at the Security Committee meeting yesterday passed into the hands of Lord Cushendun, the British representative, who put forward a definite proposition covering three vital points. Lord Cushendun spoke strongly against what he called hankering after a general security, pact. By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright.

(Rec. February 24, 10.15- p.m.)

Geneva, February 23. Lord Cushendun, on behalf of the British Government, again took the initiative at yesterday’s Security Committee meeting with a definite proposition covering three vital points. This has every chance of acceptance, since it conforms to the original British memorandum, which M. Benes, in his opening speech, and a majority of the subsequent speakers virtually adopted. Lord Cushendun proposes:— (1) That the committee declare, firstly, that the League Covenant itself creates a measure of security which needs to be appreciated at its full value, and its Articles are capable oi being applied in such a way that in a majority of cases they can prevent war; (2) That the common will to peace of the Council and States’ members can be exercised effectively within the framework of the Covenant, es* pecially since that instrument does not provide any rigid code of pro* cedure for the settlement of an international crisis, and it is, therefore, inexpedient to attempt to draw up in advance a complete list of measures for preserving inter* national peace. (3) That those nations which con* sider that the general measure of security afforded by the Covenant is inadequate far their needs must for the present regard - the conclusion of security pacts with other States in the same geographical area as the only practical possible form of supplementary guarantee. Lord Cushendun spoke strongly against what he called hankering alter a general security pact. He continued; “The report from the Prague Committee states that the conclusion of a general treaty would be difficult. Of course it would be, so why in the world should we try to draw up one ? Why try to reduce all the varying types of nations with their different conditions and requirements to one type.” The British Empire could not accept arbitration without reservations. He was readv to submit justiciable cases to arbitration, and suggested the creation of a Commission of Conciliation on the Canadian-American model for the settlement of political questions. The committee was favourably impressed by the proposal, which was referred to the Drafting Committee — A.l’.A. and “Sun.” VALUE OF A PERMANENT COMMISSION EXPERIENCE OF CANADA AND UNITED STATES Rugby, February 23. The Committee on Arbitration and Security concluded a general discussion yesterday and detailed consideration of the rapporteur’s memoranda began. Representatives of Belgium, Canada, Sweden, Jugo-Slavia, Argentina, Chile, Holland, and Bulgaria expressed their

views yesterday, and the new German memorandum oil prevention of war was presented. Particular interest was shown in the advocacy of Dr. Riddell, the Canadian delegate, of permanent conciliation commissions. He put forward a proposal of his Government that. States with special geographical difficulties should establish a permanent commission of an equal number of eminent citizens for the purposes of investigating, report and decision. Canada and the United States had had 17 years’ experience of such a commission, and every discussion taken during the last 15 years, including many of great importance and covering a variety of subjects, had been taken unanimously. In such commissions there was great value in the permanence and equality of numbers. Definite standards of procedure were created, and mutual confidence and impartiality inspired. The state of affairs between Canada and the United States showed how the absence of armed forces promoted confidence and removed fears and suspicions. In regard to proposals for increase in the obligations of members of the League, Canada felt that these should be held up until progress had been made in solving the possible attitude of States not members of the League.—British Official Wireless. REDUCTION IN BRITISH SERVICES VOTE Rugby, February 23. It is stated that the estimates for the services when presented to Parliament will show a total saving of between four. and five millions . sterling, the major portion of which will be effected by the Admiralty. The Air Force estimate will remain approximatelv the same as a year ago, while there will be a reduction in the Army figures of an amount which is variously given as half a million to one million.—British Official Wireless. TO AID VICTIMS OF AGGRESSION LORD CUSHENDUN ON FINNISH PROPOSAL (Rec. February 25, 10.15 p.m.)’ Geneva, February 24. Interviewed by the “Daily Chronicle” representative regarding the Finnish proposal for an international fund for the benefit of victims of aggression, which Britain alone among the .great Powers is supporting, Lord Cushendun said: “It envisages a sum of. fifty millions sterling, of which Britain’s share probablv would be seven and a half to ten per cent, of the total—five millions at the most. The money would be provided in the form of an international loan. Countries would know that if they were guilty of aggression the other side would have this assistance. The League Council must unanimously decide which nation is the ag« gressor before aid would be given.”