DISARMAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 25 July 1932, Page 5

DISARMAMENT

VOTE AT GENEVA DRAFT RESOLUTION CARRIED. / " (United Press Association—-By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) GENEVA, July 23. Tiie draft resolution tn D.snrmamcii'u Jiao’ been carried by 41 to 2. German and Russia opposed it. -There were eight abstentions from \oiing. Mr Henderson said that, with all

its faults, the resolution was a step on tiie light road for disarmament. Following the adoption of the Draft Resolution,- a plenary conference assembled and voted an extension of the aims trues for four months, Chinaalone dissenting. v M. Herrict offered to be a good shepherd. Air Henderson, expressing his thanks, said that his had teen a peaceful flock.

Sir John Simon paid a tribute to Air Henderoon and M. Benes.

The prolongation of the armaments truce for four months means until the Conference medts for the second session.

v Sir J. .SimotV in. hid final (appeal said that if the resolution represented the final conclusions of the conference, he could' well understand grave ’ hesitation in many quarters to approve- it, but its first object was to record progress. Secondly,' it acknowledged Mr Hoover’s stirring call, and thirdly, it was prepared for the-second phase of the conference. It contained no commitment contrary to the essential convictions of anyone. ‘ The German delegates Herr Nadolny, read a- declaration that Germany could not promise to participate in the second phase of the Conference, uhless during the recess, her demand for equality of rights in armaments was settled in the negotiations between the interested Governments, His delaration added that the Conference proceedings, and notably the conversations during the, last few days had given the impession that the necessary condition of j equality was not yet understood or admitted by all the Governments. The German Government’s collaboration was not possible unless the future work of the Conference developed upon the basis of clear cut recognition of the equality of rights among nations. In the earlier proceedings, the section of the resolution proposing limitation of the unit tonnage tanks, was

passed. The section dealing, with the abolition of gas and bacteriological warfare w.as agreed to,/and the ce’ctiohj providing for the estabishing of a permanent disarmament commission was also adopted; Speaking of the proposal for a- reduction in armaments expenditure, Sir H. Snmuel made a strong plea .for such reduction, and added that between 1925 and 1930 Britain reduced her expenditure of armaments by’ 15 per cent! Her total reduction during the past ten yearo amounted to 20 per cent. 1 : It was essential that the Conference -should not ignore recommending further budgetary' limitations. This, section of the resolution was adopted. -Sir J. Simon made an earnest appeal to the delegates to vote for the resolution by an overwhelming majority.