Peace of the Nations

Evening Star, Issue 19797, 22 February 1928, Page 8

Peace of the Nations

Discussions at Geneva

A Spirit of Optimism

Cavell Film Refused License

Mr Hinkler Expected at Darwin To-day

Press Association—By Telegraph-Copyright.

GENEVA, February 2CL At the opening of the League of Nations Committee on Arbitration and Security Lord Cushenduu (Britain) said that ho was convinced that the best measures would be security pacts between States in the same geographical areas, snch as the Locarno Pact. The British Government felt most strongly that Locarno agreements did represent the beat model. Lord Cnsheudun then made the novel proposal that the committee should endeavor during the present session to draw up a Locarno Treaty for application to some region of the world. Herr Yon Simson, the German delegate, in half an hour’s speech, said it would be dangerous to create the • impression that there was at present no security, but more prohibition of wars of aggression. It would bo necessary to establish a procedure for the pacific settlement of every form of dispute, including political, and conciliation seemed to be a suitable method, though he was still convinced that disarmament was the best means of ensuring security. He added that the League Council should have the means to enforce an obligatory armistice in the event of hostilities actually breaking out. The Japanese delegate (Baron Sailo) announced that his Government was at present engaged in the revision of reservations generally. He attacked arbitration treaties. The Polish delegate (M. Sokol), like the 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 the observer (M. Boris Stein), consists of eighty or ninety typewritten foolscap sheets.

REALM OF REALISM,

DEFINITE PROGRESS EXPECTED

GENEVA, February 21. 'A spirit of optimism prevailed at the opening of tho Security Committee, and 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 of so jnuch dross.