WORLD PEACE

Evening Star, Issue 19798, 23 February 1928, Page 2

WORLD PEACE

ARBITRATION AND SECURITY GENEVA DISCUSSIONS. GENEVA, February 21. General Do Marinis (Italy), in a speech to the Security Committee, advocated multilateral security agreements. M. Boncour ably expounded the French views and endorsed Lord Cnshendun’s remarks on interdependence, security, and armament. France favored arbitration, in which the refuser to arbitrate would be regarded as the aggressor. The Locarno Pact should be extended to other States. M. Erich (Finland) urged the conclusion of arbitration treaties as Sweden and Norway advocated. AN ARMAMENT HOLIDAY. CZECHOSLOVAKIA'S PROPOSAL. GENEVA, February 21. It became increasingly evident at today’s sitting that where a disagreement may yet arise it - will not affect the main principles. Count Marinis declared tha all the nations should negotiate bilateral treaties of arbitration and non-aggres-sion with all their neighbors. This would eliminate a majority of the causes and possibilities of war. Nevertheless, Italy was willing to co-operate in regional agreements, as indicated by her signature to the Locarno Treaty. M. Boncour added that, failing general agreement, regional treaties of the Locarno typo were the best means of increasing security.

The conference then adjourned. There is much speculation regarding Dr Benes, who is reported to have in his pocket a draft scheme for an international armament holiday, but cannot make up his mind whether to produce it or not. It is understood that Dr Benes would like to say “ Don’t scrap anything, but cease building until the World’s Disarmament Conference.” Meantime it is reported that Moscow’s plan has been drafted in an interesting form. It is said to propose that the nations disarm not immediately, but within four years of the adoption of the model treaty which the Soviet has deposited with the League.