LEAGUE Of NATIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1928, Page 2

LEAGUE Of NATIONS

(Australian it N.Z. Cable Association.) AT (1 EX KVA. LONDON, -March 21 Lord Cusliendun continuing admitted that tMi* progress ol disarmament Had been siow but the League had had no assistance trom Russia. Several artii les in the Soviet dealt involved the repeal or modification of tlie Covenant. He expressed the opinion that the Council of the League would never ask me Assembly to cnange the Covenant to please Russia. I hen addresing Litvinolf personally, lie said : “ There are two kinds of war —civil and international. Is the Soviet really going to change its policy? Has it decided against civil war, and is it no longer going to interfere in the affairs of other countries, including the mandated countries?” Alluding to the proposal for armed frontier police, he commented that British police carried only u truncheon. Another article suggested tile carrying of a revolver for personal defence. This was a strange provision lor a civilised country in the Twentieth Century. He was surprised that the Soviet should propose to place the duty of a state in the hands of the individual. The proposal to destroy books dealing with war, meant the loss of Caesar’s (lallic War and even the lile of Napoleon. Regarding the navy, he was technically advised that the type of ship suggested for policing the seas would be unfit and inadequate. Lord Cusliendun completely took the wind out of the sails of Litvinolf by treating the Soviet proposals for world disarmament as worthy of analysis. It was apparent that this was the most destructive method. He first praised their originality and imagination, ami then proceeded to discuss and criticise each article in turn, for ninety minutes. He showed that even in connection with the suppression of pirates and slave traders on the high seas, it would require high-speed vessels and first class officers and crews, the training of whom would he prevented under the Soviet draft.