LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 December 1920, Page 2

LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

1 AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION AT GENEVA. GENEVA, Dec. 13. As far ns the Commission is concerned, it was decided to retain the postal convention scheme as a basis for the contribution for 1921. The Budget Committee appointed a draft scheme for equitable payments in the 1922 Budget. THE JAPANESE ATTITUDE. (Received This Day at 9.46 a.m.) GENEVA, December 15. The Australian Press Association, Geneva correspondent, says my enquiries in Japanese circles led to the belief that without foregoing their claims to racial equality, Japanese have withdrawn opposition to the issues of mandates as previously drafted. Dominating factors in the withdrawal /of Japanese obstruction to the mandates will probably be found in the desire to secure an Anglo-Japanese Alliance on the most’ favourable terms, coupled with Wellington Koos pronouncement over Chinese feeling in regard to Shantung. Japanese do not wish to have the latter subject discussed at present by the assembly, thus attracting overmuch attention to her attitude towards China.

ARMAMENTS REPORT. (Received This Day at 10.35 a.m.) GENEVA, December 14. The armaments commissions report was submitted in the* Registrar’s most solemn way. There is a 'belief of the vital necessity of reducing the burden of armaments, although it recognised a comprehensive scheme was impossible at once, owing to the world’s disturbed condition. Progress must be effected by successive stages, firstly by a general agreement not to exceed the present scale of armaments; secondly, by proporionate and simultaneous reduction of existing military budgets; thirdly, by a scientific, comprehensive reduction under League supervision to the lowest point eompatable with national security. The Commission recognises, however that while great military powers remain outside the League’s orbit, a hard and fast 'budgetary reduction would be encompassed with difficulty in full execution. The Convention protocol in regard to traffic in arms is hindered by the ab-’ sence of authority of control and export of arms in United States which prevents signatories ingecting severe losses on; their manufacturing industries.