GENEVA CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 20 May 1926, Page 2

GENEVA CONFERENCE

r Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] GENEVA, May 18. The Dutchman, SI. Loudon, was elected President of the Disarmament Commission. Apparently Lord Cecil and M. Rancour have composed their recent difference, because Lord Cecil proposed Al. Boncour for the Presidency, but the latter declined, because the interests of France .are so involved that lie must have a Bee hand. Al. Loudon emphasised that it was a commission and not a conference. Therefore, it could not discuss freely. Ho was confident of good and quick results. It was decided that all questions for preparation should he referred to a joint military technical commission. This allows the United States to bo represented, without participating in the League’s permanent disarmament commission.

The Committee proceeded to discuss - what constitutes armaments.

Lord Cecil (Britain) insisted that any investigation towards fixing the basis for a reduction of armaments should be limited to what forces were immediately available on the outbreak of war. He strssed the importance of any nation’s striking force, because, lie declared, nations armed only to meet, an aggressor’s initial blow. He declared that reduction of armaments were only possible in practise by limiting the investigating to visible remits. Al. Boncour (France) joined issues with Lord Cecil. He argued that the potential war strength, both industrial and otherwise, of all the possible adversaries must bo considered.

Signor Demarinis created a sensation by saying; “White Italy is in agreement with disarmament, there are certain principles which my country ca'unob renounce.”

AL Brouckere (Belgium) supported the French viewpoint. The discussion was adjourned. GENEVA, AI ay 18. At the Disarmament Committee, Lord Cecil opened the proceedings with a clear exposition of the British view oil disarmament. He said Britain was anxious for a reduction of irnui- . ments in view of her financial position, and her unemployment. He pointed out Britain was in a special position compared with oilier countries. The British Army did not depend on the size of the armies of other countries. Besides garrisoning Britain itself, the British Army had also to discharge oversea requirments in India, Mesopotamia, and Palestine.. As regards the Navy, a certain, number of cruisers were required owing to British overseas possessions, while the British Air Force depended oirtlie size of the forces in other countries. He concluded: “We shall find a basis for such disarmament, and, with goodwill wo will attain our object.” Bernsterff, following Lord Cecil, said: “We arc convinced that armaments always lead to a war. The world economically cannot support another conflict. Germany to-day is completely disarmed. , It is imperative that the surrounding nations shall disarm on the same basis.” AH Gibson (United States) expressed the fullest concurrence in any proposals which might bo agreed on for general disarmament.