GENEVA CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 3 December 1927, Page 3

GENEVA CONFERENCE

([Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) GENEVA, Dec. 1. The Security Committee elected .M. Beucs as president. Litlninoff attended as an observer, l'olta (Greece) defended the principles of the defunct protocol and urged the committee to re-examine the objections thereto.

Lord Cushendun in reply said: i am somewhat alarmed at the use of the word protocol, which I would huvo avoided for fear of another avalanche of literature thereon. Britain did not object to an examination of objections to the proocol hut doubted whether it would lie useful, lie emphasised that his replacing of Lord Cecil did not involve a change in the British policy of the promotion of e:i'oourngement disarmament, arbitral ion and security. He urged the necessity for practical measures instead of generalisations. Britain mis anxious to arrive at a big result. The sitting was adjourned. 'fho Russians have issued an addendum to Lithvinoff’s speech which reiterates the arguments that the great Rowers anxiety to retain colonial possessions and markets caused war. It emphasises the resulting waste of man-power and economic damage and declared the Soviet army was only one third the size of the Tzarists, despite the fact that other armaments were increasing. It interprets Lord CeeiH’s recent statements as proof that even the disarmament conference produced strained relations. It adds that the fear of a gigantic war, involving greater disasters and suffering amply justified the Soviet’s proposals and provide tho only solution.