DISARMAMENT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 1 December 1927, Page 5

DISARMAMENT

SOVIET PROPOSALS SCHEME SPREAD OVER FOUR YEARS PROHIBITION OF CHEMICAL WARFARE ENDORSED. COMMISSION POSTPONES DISCUSSION. (Received 1, 11.15 a m.) Geneva, Nov. 30. "This is the mtiitnium." “Too big a menu tor lunch." “Quite utopian." “So simple it is a wonder it was not proposed before." These were a few of the lobby lunch-time comments after Litvinoff had expounded to the Preparatory Disarmament Commission the Soviet’a sweeping disarmament proposals. The closing ot the two streets flanking the Secretariat and the presence of a police pilot-car ahead of that containing Litvinoff. his English wife and two colleagues—these were the only outward signs ot special measures to protect the Soviet trio who have come virtually to telj the rest of the world to “get on with the iob’’ and to show it how it can be done. There was not the usual free and easy atmosphere in the Secretariat, from which the public were excluded, while journalists were only admitted on production of a special card with a photograph. Dozens of gendarmes and detectives mustered on the portico, where the Soviet delegates, heavily muffled in furs, were the last to arirve—ten minutes after the appointed hour. There was -no demonstration and little tune was wasted on formalities. M. Jonkeer Loudon devoted more words to .regretting the absence of Viscount Cecil and M. de Brouckere than to his welcome to the Russians, into whose hands Dr. Bernstorff instantly played, saying he bad been wrongly suspected of desiring to move the second reading of the disarmament convention. The more important thing was first to give the delegates an opportunity of explaining their Government’s viewpoints. LITVINOFF’S SPEECH.

This Litvinoff amply did in excellent English, winning his wife’s nods of approval. Beginning with the stereotyped formula “Militarism is the child of Capitalism.” he went on to declare that the whole of post-war history was a record ot increased armaments. None of the Leagues solemn promises had been fulfilled. The imminence of war was making itself felt everywhere and if discussions remained in the old channels they would inevitably lead to further increases within the legalised limits. The Soviet genuinely desfred to contribute to the peace and disarmament of Europe, in which the people. «n--feebled by a great war. were struggling against new Imperialist wars. There was no suggestion of security when Russia was first invited and it s discussion would now embarrass her. It would be better to discuss disarmament first and security after wards. PLUS INTENSIVE PEACE PROPAGANDA. The Soviet was readv he said, with a scheme of general disarmament spread over four years, plus intensive peace propaganda. All the Commission's work hitherto was decorative. The League had been fruitlessly wrestling lor seven years with the limitation of war budgets. Litvinoff then read the Soviet’s proposals. In view of the published statements that Russia in recent years has been specialising in chemical warfare ( snecial notice was attracted by Litvinoff’s declaration “We fully endorse ti»e prohibition of chemical warfare. The only secure means of ensuring its suppression is the placing oi the power in capitalist countries m the hands of the workers who would see that such preparations were not made." Litvinoff continued that the money saved from war budgets could quickly be devoted to productive and cultural ends. Litvinoff thereafter submitted the Soviet motion. SECURITY MUST PRECEDE DISARMAMENT. Resuming the discussion in the afternoon, M. Boncour emphasised that the Soviet meant to scrap the old progress and begin new methods, “if we sank every ship and sent home every soldier, men would still remainsailors and soldiers.” he said. It meant leaving small nations at the mercy of big nations unless an Internationa) force was created to resist attacks. The Ixmgue had decided that security must nrecede disarmament. so it must continue on those nes. If the Soviet delegates were ncere they woulA follow the others > find the best way out of the en.nglement. There was only one way ut of the forest when lost namely always to go in one direction. Before adjourning the Commission postponed until the spring session discussion of the Soviet’s proposals, Litvinoff assenting (A and N.Z.)