‘FARCE OR REALITY’

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1930, Page 2

‘FARCE OR REALITY’

VISCOUNT CECIL ISSUES AN APPEAL. (Official Wireless). RUGBY, December 21. Viscount Cecil, in an appeal for disarmament issued through the League of Nations Union, says that 1931 promises to be a critical year for the League of Nations, "for it depends upon the movement of public opinion during that year whether the first world disarmament confereice, which will probably assemble at the beginning of 1932, is to be a farce or reality.” “Unless that conference results in a treaty which will stop competition in nil forms of armaments',” continues Lord Cecil, “subjects them to effective limitation, and brings about such sub■tfintial reduction as is. clearly intended bv Article VfTI of the Covenent of the League, and was anticipated by die defeated Powers at Versailles from promises made to them by the Allies, Mm whole edific o of international peace will be shaken.”

Referring to the draft treaty. Lord Cecil says: “It is not perfect but it ami be the basis of an effective disarmament treaty. It wi l ! be of the utmost value if, in the intervening period, ■vnblic opinion can be aroused, informed. and convinced of the liepd of all •ound reduction, so that it will require '•he Governments of the nations to propose the lowest possible figures for ’nsertion into the twenty resulting c rora the conference.”