WORLD CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1933, Page 5

WORLD CONFERENCE

A NEW FORMULA PRESENTED BY SIR J. SIMON. (British Oflic'il Wireless.) RUGBY, May 24. The new draft formula for a consultative, pact, for the presei vation of peace, , presented to the General Disarmament Commission by Sir John (Simon, represents a modification of the .security, section of the British draft convention. The most important articles propose . that in tne event of a breach or.threat of a brench of the Pact of Paris, the League Council, or Assembly, or one qf the parties to tho convention, not members of the League, may propose, an immediate, consultation between the Council, or 'Assembly and (anyone of these parties. In the event of a threatened breach, it would be the. object of consultation (to .exchange views fpr. the purpose of preserving peace. In tlie. event of a' breach, the object would .be to use good offices for the restoration of peace. If it. proves impossible :thus, to restore peace, the object, would then he ■ to > determine which party to the dispute be )held- fi-esponsible. : - •' Sir John Simon explained-that the reticles wei'e more strongly worded than originally, because■ the,'.Unitod States' had now consented- to-. fassociate itself with European affairei.

Mr Davis gai4 the United- Spates proposed to set forth a policy by an Unilateral declaration ;in form somervvhat similar to the following;' “Recognising any threatened breach or brdacli of the Pact of Paris, : is a matter of'concern to the .signatories, the United ISfates (yjvernment that in such event, it will l>a (prepared to confer with a view to intercede for peace, in the event of consultations with other powers, for this purpose being arranged. In the event of a decision determining tlie aggressor following such consultation, >and in the event of the United States Government agreement . with,.this,, in its independent" jiulgment, , it will .undertake to refrain uny action and to withhold its. from its citizens who might, engage in activities which tend ”io\ ,defeat the collective effort, which the States in collective consultation, m'ay think .necessary to decide upon against .the aggressor.” ( •• . . ... M. Boncoui* congratulated Sir John and. Mr Davis and. welcomed the new formula as a great step towards the peace of the world. I The German delegate said that Ger,many was willing to accept . the _ British plan.’ but strongly urged the German right t° equality be specifically incorporated in thp .text of .the pact. ' The discussion, . proceeded through' out the; afternoon.. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Genovp corresponoent’sgvs.:,,.“Sir John Simpn’s draft greatly extends, the scope of jihe security;proposals without increasing, the obligations o? Great Britain in a military sense., Consequently, _ this draft cannot be described, as a reiteration of the Geneva’,Protocol of nine years ago:. The Geneva' Protocol, definitely committed Britain to decisive (action ns regards an international force. Sir John’s text dees not.