DISARMAMENT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 3 December 1927, Page 6

DISARMAMENT

THE DEFUNCT PROTOCOL PRINCIPLES DEFENDED. ADDENDUM TO LITVINOFF’S SPEECH. Geneva. Dec. 1. The security committee elected Dr. Edward Benes (Czccho-Slovakia) president. Litvinoff attended as an observer. M. Bolitis (Greece) defended the principles of the defunct Protocol, and urged the committee to re-ex-amine objections thereto. Lord Cushcndun, in reply, said: “I am somewhat alarmed at the use ol the word “Protocol,” which 1 would have avoided for fear of another avalanche of literature thereon.” Britain did not object to examination of the objections to the Protocol but doubted whether it would be useful. The sitting was adjourned. The Russians issued an addendum to Litvinoff’s speech, which reiterates the arguments that the great powers’ anxiety to retain their colonial possessions and markets caused war and emphasises the resulting wastage of man power and economic damage. It declares that tho Soviet Army is only one-third the size of the Tsarist Army, despite the fact that other armaments are increasing. It interprets Lord Cecil’s recent statements as proof that even a disarmament conference produced strained relations, and adds that the fear of a gigantic war involving greater disasters and suffering amply justified tho Soviet’s proposals which provide the only solution.—(A. and N.Z.)

THE SOVIET PROPOSALS. JAPANESE COMMENT. Tokio, Dec. 2. The Soviet proposal at the Geneva conference is treated by newspapers and leading politicians as brilliantlyillustrating Russia’s ancient d'piomacy and cleverness in throwing a paralysing bomb on a conference from which Russia does not expect a result. The newspaper “Asahi’ ’says the Soviet does not believe in the practibility of its own proposal. Russia is not a member of the security committee, hence the proposals only serve to confuse the whole proceedings. Goto, leaving on a visit to Russia and Germany, officially announced that the object is to cement relationship of the three countries. Goto declared that he regarded the Russian proposals ns Geneva as a sincere demonstration of the guiding principle of Russia.—(A. and N.Z.) ATTITUDE OF AMERICA. Washington, Dec. 1. The Government will decline the invitation to send an observer to tho Geneva security conference, but will continue participation in the preparatory commission on disarmament and attend any conference on the limitation of armaments growing out of that conference.—(A.P.A. and -‘Sun” cable). QUESTION IN COMMONS. London, Dee. 1. In the House of Commons Mr. T. Johnston (Labour, Dundee) asked whether the Government was considering the Russian disarmament proposals. Mr, Baldwin said the only present information on that subject was derived from the newspapers. Until officially informed he preferred not to comment. Mr. Johnston: Before these important proposals are negatived, will an opportunity be given the House of Commons to discuss them ? Mr. Baldwin: I can add nothing to my previous answer.—(A.P.A. and “Sun” cable).