GERMANY POINTS OUT GROUP TREATY DANGERS.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 29 February 1928, Page 8

GERMANY POINTS OUT GROUP TREATY DANGERS.

& DIFFICULTIES ARISE AT GENEVA (Received Tuesday, 9.35 p.m) GENEVA, Feb. 28. Another long debate did not increase the difficulties of security, hut it certainly emphasised them Herr von Simson (Germany) declared that Germany objected to general facts for the same reason as Britain did because they asked Governments to assume obligations they wore an willing to shoulder. He warned the Committee of the possible danger of group treaties which might take the form of an alliance against others, and urged that nothing should bo (Due to increase tension be tween peoples. Against Majority Vote.

Lord Cu.shemlun (Britain) opposed any provision ,in regional pacts, in which the League Council was permitted to arbitrate, enabling the Councils decisions to be taken by majority vote. He suggested this was equivalent to giving the Council power to declare war and insisted that the principle o.t unanimity must remain intact. He also opposed the inclusion in a model regional treaty of any provision authorising the League Council to declare an armistice in the event of an outbreak of war between the signa lories. He argued that such provision besides not being enforceable might prevent States accepting a treaty ii? which it was embodied. Demilitarised Zones.

The Committee lengthily discussed the value of demilitarised zones as steps peace and disarmament. Naturally the United States-Canada frontier was quoted as an example, al so the long stretch between Nqrway and Sweden,. General di Marinis (Italy) opposed the recommendation of these zones because States were unable now to impose them if they wished, presumably alluding to the Versailles Treaty. The discussion was adjourned.