The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1920-12-15
STEP
MUST Be CAUTIOUS
is OPINION OF ASSEMBLY OF
LEAGUE NATIONS-GEORGE
NICHOLL BARNES, BRITISH
LABOR LEADER, DECLARES
THERE, is TOO MUCH QUIB-
BILE AND NOT ENOUGH PLUCK
SHARP CRITICISMS

Geneva, Dec. 14.-The limitation
of armaments by the powers for the
next two years by agreement among
them was acted upon favorably today
by the assembly of the league of na-
tions. The matter came up in the
form of the report of the disarma-
ment committee, the limitations
clause in which was amended to mere
ly a recommendation before the re-
port was adopted.
With respect to the limitations
clause, Leon Bourgeois made the res
ervation that France was obliged to
restore her armaments that had been
worn out by the war. The Belgian and
Spanish delegations at the afternoon
session made similar reservations re-
garding the limitation of their arma-
ments during the next two years.
notwithstanding the reservations
France together with Brazil, Chile,
Greece, Poland, Rumania and Uru-
quay, voted against the limitations
clause.
Hlamar Branting, Sweden, pointed
out that the reservations did not
change the situation since a resolu-
ton on that subject was only and
could only be, a recommendation by
the delegates voting therefore, who
are hot understood as committing
their governments.
Geneva, Dec. 1.-THE first step
for disarmament of the nations must
be cautious and deliberate, the as
sembly of the League of Natioss de-
clared today Notwithstanding sharp
criticisms by George Nicoll Barnes,
the British labor leader and Christian
Lange of Norway. Mr.. Barnes said
there was ''too much quibble and not
enough pluck" in the decision to go
slowly.
The policy of the United tates on
this question was, by more or less
yelled illusions, invoked as one rea-
son why general disarmament can
not be boldly grappled with at this
time, Mr.. Barnes said. H. A. L. Fish
er of the British delegation referred
to nationals with powerful arms and
munitions making facilities that still
are outside the league. The absence
from the league of former enemy
countries also as referred to by Mr..
Fisher. This brought from MIR.
Barnes the retort: "They now are
practically disarmed and can not con-
stitute menace for years to come"
A curious manifestation of the ses-
sion was the general applause of the
delegates for the pleas made by
Messrs Barnes and Lange for an i'm
mediate minimum effort, while at the
same time accepting the conclusion
of the disarmament committee. These
are, briefly, an effort to prevent the
future increase of ornaments and
propaganda in favor of a decrease as
a steady means of bringing about
eventual but remote, general dis
armament.
France and Belgium accepted the
committees conclusions until limita-
ton of armament during the next two
years on the base Of appropriations
for last;year. They added, however,
that they could not consider the re-
storation of armaments destroyed
during the war as increase expendi-
lures but pointed out that measures
were being taken to reduce the period
of military service.
M. Poulet (Belgium), Belgium has
received no reparations. She can not
spike her guns while the league of
nations still is in the process of for
..,&;o,