THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1929, Page 5

THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

(Per Press Association—By Electric , Telegraph—Copyright).

GENEVA, Sept. 5,

M. Briand was as big, a box office draw as ever when he took the tribune in the Assembly to-clay. Every, inch of sitting and standing room was occupied by' sweltering, perspiring humanity, representing nearly all the peoples of tiie world. Outside, an oversow crowd heard every word and phrase, thanks to loud speakers.

Incidentally it should be mentioned that never before lias wireless been so extensively' used as this year. Though stressing that security must precede disarmament, M. Briand expressed the opinion that when AngloAmerican naval accord was reached there might be an early convening of the Disarmament Conference in order to carry out Article Eight of the Covenant. He welcomed Britain’s adherence to the Optional Clause as an event for rejoicing. He announced that France would renew her signa- 1 ture, and pledged himself to go further and obtain the French Parliament’s sanction to a general act of compulsory arbitration. ' v

GENERAL DISARMAMENT.

GENEVA. Sept. 6,

Mr Henderson, broadcasting his ad- > dress; ; which was relayed throughout jiiurope, said: “The naval agreement between Britain and the United States, which Mr MacDonald says is in sight, is only a preliminary. Naval disarmament alone is useless. We must deal also with land and air armaments, tanks, guns and aeroplanes. We are therefore hoping that' at the present Assembly we can prepare the way for a preparatory commission, by accel- . erating its task of drafting a genera: • disarmament treaty in order that a world-wide conference thereon may be summoned within a reasonable time. <r- 1. - • ANGLO-AMERICAN CONVENTIONS. ", -WASHINGTON, Sept.' 6. Parity as between the British and ' United States* navies would' apply to ‘ each category of combatant ships, instead of to the two navies as a whole. . Parity in battleships and aircraft car- ■ riers; Was agreed upon at the Washington' Conference eight years ago, and between the two Governments is to carfy the .programme through all the 'fighting arms of the navies. Should complete agreement be reached, Japan, France and Italy will be invited to join the general conference which un--1 der the present expectations in high " ‘ administrative .quarters here, will he possible lkte' this year or early next. MR HENDERSON’S SPEECH. (Received this dav at 9.25 a.m.) GENEVA, September 6., . “ By. our actions at The Hague we have, taken the final step to end world war,” said Mr Arthur Henderson, addressing the Assembly." He stressed the importance of securing a general acceptance of arbitration as a means of obviating the dangers of future wars which would be incomparably ' worse than anything hitherto conceived. He hoped that the proposed treaty con-, cerning financial assistance for the victims of .aggression might be converted into a general convention with the, signature. of members of the League. 'Before the close of the - Assembly, Biitain would sign such a convention, subject 'to certain safeguards.