LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 April 1927, Page 1

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

; Australian it X.Z. Cable Association.j GEXEVA, April 9. (doom pervaded yesterday’s meeting ol the Preparatory Disarmament Conference. M. He Bronckere said that whereas disarmament was the original aim ol the Conference, this aim had been modified, firstly, to that of a reduction of armaments, and then to a limita- j lion,-whilst now it finally seemed to have readied the stage when even the word ' limitation " was too strong. Now it had conic to a mere question ol expenditure. Lord Cecil endeavoured to dispel the pessimism by reviewing the wotk accomplished. Then Count Benistorlf (Germany) struck another discordant note. He insisted Unit France should recognise her obligations under Article five ot the League ot \ ersoilles, and that the League should discharge the mandate under Article Fight, both dealing with disarmament, M. Boncour (France.) replied with some heat. saying that il was true that , the Treaty of Versailles laid it down 1 a.s tin duty of tin signatories to dis-j arm eventually; but they were to do j so only according to the terms ol the j treaty. It was true that Article KigTit provided for disarmament, hut it took .'pecitie cognisance ot geographical and other considerations, lie said that colonies, political commitments, and other factors must he considered. Count .Bernstorlf retorted to the elfeet that Germany has been disarmed. hut she could not he content to remain thus in the midst ot a Europe | that is armed. The patience of the German people in lace of this problem, he said, had been great ol than any the world had ever seen. Air Gibson (T.S.A.) made an effort to smooth over matters. He said that the essential part of the Disarmament Commission’s work had onh ju-t begun. M. Sato (Japan) and Af. ißtit vers . (Holland) spoke in a similar strain. [ However, it is now considered tnat : the delegates realise that the issues ] are being forced into the open, and . that a "show down” is inurnment.