DISARMAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 September 1922, Page 5

DISARMAMENT.

OBSTACLES IN THE WAY, SOME PROGRESS MADE. VIEW OF DOMINIONS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Geneva, Sept. 10. The Disarmament Commission reported to the Assembly that several schemes of disarmament were impracticable. The principal obstacle was the general instability of the world, compelling nations to hesitate to consider disarmament in the absence of Germany, Russia and the United States from the League. The commission requested every nation to promote disarmament. The majority replied sympathetically, but indicated that political and geographical considerations and the feeling of insecurity hindered it. Nevertheless the commission reported real progress in limiting land armaments by means of mutual guarantees protecting the contracting parties. Regarding navy reduction, the commission drafted an agreement proposing to extend the Washington Treaty to all maritime nations. Among the nations replying to the commission’s request to reduce. Britain wrote that she was entirely in harmony with the spirit of the recommendation, and had already effected a substantial reduction. This policy was liable to reconsideration if not adopted by other Powers. A second reply in 1922 says that further economies have been realised. Australia replied that she was entirely in harmony with the spirit of the recommendation. South Africa stated that she was reducing her defence expenditure one-third in 1923. Canada was in entire accord and had already effected a substantial reduction in the naval, military and air departments. New Zealand associated itself with the British views. MANDATES COMMISSION. The Assembly adopted Dr. Nansen’s motion formally expressing general satisfaction at the report of the Mandates Commission, but directing a reference back to the committee on political questions for closer examination. Sir Joseph Cook says this means that the committee will have power to reconsider the whole matter and report to the assembly. Referring to Nauru, Sir Joseph Cook understands the commission is principally concerned about Chinese labor and the alleged financial exploitation of phosphates in the interests of Australia, New Zealand and Britain, which, it is believed, is exciting the hostility of American phosphate interests. He pointed out that the chairman of the mandates sub-sec-tion of the Council of the League has considerably modified the report from Marquis Theodoli as far as Nauru is concerned.