LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1922, Page 3

LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE. Received this (lav at 12.25 p.m.) GENEVA. Sept 20. In the full Assembly to-day. British, Freneli and Italian delegations co-operated in submitting the Disarmament- t'ominiittee’s report, embracing a series of propositions which formed the subject of prolonged discussion, laud many compromised at Committee meetings during the past fortnight, and were eventually adopted unanimously.

The following is the substance ol the principal resolutions; firstly, Euro pea,u nations existing in 1914 should reduce the total military, naval and air expenditure to the 1913 basis. Secondly.—lnternational /control of traffic in arms.

Thirdly.—lnternational, 'agreement regulating tlio manufacture of arms and munitions, .and universal adhesion to Washington Treaty in relation to -asphyxiating gas and suh-nmrincs. This was originally Sheldon’s proposal. . .

Fourthly.—All nations to lie iuvitwl to furnish returns of rcqnirwinonis for national security.

'l’he report explained that twentysix out of lifty-one nations represented on the. League had supplied this information. Fifthly,—An International Conference be summoned by the League with a view to tlid extension of Washington Treaty to all non-signatory na-

tions. , Sixthly.—To prepare a scheme ot general ‘reduction of land armaments. Seventhly—Countries reducing armamentis to be entitled to receive in exchange a satisfactory guarantee of

safety. Eighthly.—Such guarantee m » st take the’form of a defensive agreement, provided the obligation to render assistance! is limited to countries in 'the same part of the globe. Ihe Committee desired to emphasise the importance of a regional . agreement, ami also accompanied the resolution-, with a declaration that a reduction ot armaments cannot achieve full eflcet unless it is general.