The Guardian And Evening Star, with which in incorporated the West Coast Times FRIDAY, APRIL, 26, 1929

Hokitika Guardian, 26 April 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which in incorporated the West Coast Times FRIDAY, APRIL, 26, 1929

THE DISARMAMENT COMMISSION. I'iik Preparatory Commission oil Disarmament which has been set up by the jjcsgue of Nations as an advisory ■ i aly, charged with the task of preparing the gr.und lor the holding of a . oilier, nee t.i deal with the question of the limitation of armaments, began its work nearly three years ago. It has made slower progress towards its objective, says the Otago Times, than was anticipated. The explanation ol that consists in the complexities of the problem which is under consideration ami the difficulty of reconciling

iverse l points of view and reaching a

satisfactory basis of agreement. The results of the investigation with which the League is concerned, the scientific examination of the feasibility of lisarmament, may appear to he disappointing so far, hut it is vain to

;ok for short cuts to the objective. Russian proposals of a sweeping character —this time for a ol) per cent, reduction of armaments all round—have been set aside as impracticable it the present silting of the commission. The speech delivered hv Lord ('iishendun as head of the British delegation is of (onsiderable interest, both from the light il throws on the work of the conference and as a re-slate-uicnt of the British attitude. One of the questions upon which the commission has spent some time to little purpose is that of naval limitation. Its failure in this connection has no doubt reflected the difference in the positions •of the Continental Bowers and Croat Britain respectively in the measure of importance that the naval arm assumes in their ealeiilal ions. But, as Lord Cushenduii has pointed cut, this question has been seriously considered Tiy the chief naval P vers on their own aecMint.. Pr-gross in the direction of limitation has been made, and will no doubt lie continued. Therefore it is a reasonable suggestion that the Brepunitory Commission should pass on to more important asnects --if armament reduction. Tim Oontinl>ntal Powers have always seemed to slmw a great'T readiness to dbouss navy limitation than to turn their attention to wliat to them is the major aspect, ol armaments. tl> n jnainfe"'ine<> of huge land f.irees. Crent Britain is anxious, as Ton] Cushenduii has emphasised. t- sc l pore--iient reivhed with respect to H-e limifatbm <>f land' and air f •rces. She is not de-irem of

putting forward or pressing any definite proposals cf her own to this end, hut is prepared to go far in falling in with

proposals from oilier sources of which cll _• oilier nations coiicei'iiul may approve. 1. I'd Ciislicinluii lias made it dear, indeed, lliat Biitain will not let opinions previously expressed before the commission by Lord Cecil and himself stand in the way of the attainment of agreement. Croat Britain is not a military Power in the Continental sense. She is only in. Mostly equipped in respect ol h .til land and air forces. Him is prepared to admit that her greatest interest dues not lie in the military aspect of armaments. Therci re. sic is ready to leave the uTsenssi'Oii of what is possible in the rcdticli 11 of sii.-Ii forces mainlv to the Con-

tinental P. wers. The possibility of an effective limitation depends upon the roe nciliatioii of their views and policy. ‘ The all-important consideration to us.’’ said Lord Cushondiin. ‘‘is tiie ittainmcnt of such an agreement as vill make progress possible.” All admirable spirit characterises his premium incut that he has confidence that rh:> British OoverniiMMit will he able to rreepl any scheme for the limitali 11 ol land armaments which meets with the approval of the rest of the com-

'OO Tl r . extent t" which this assurance may facilitate the sea roll fora basis 11 agreement among the other Powers an only he a matter of connectin'

mt general prom-s towards dimmlament will certainly he blocked as long is great armies, hacked by huge rcorvrs. are maintained as a matter of ours? on the Continent While aeklowledging that Britain is interested in air power as a means of defence. Lord Ctishemiun has expressed confidence that it will he possible to accord British approval to any proposal in regard to the limitation of air armaments upon which the other countries represented on the commission may agree. His statement can only he regarded as an earnest of (treat Britain’s readiness to reduce her military organisations.