The New York herald., 1921-09-16
LEAGUE THWARTED
ON DISARMAMENT
Norway Delegate Says War
Ministries Control Advi-
sorry Commission.
THRUSTS AT FRANCE
Charges Dishonesty and Sub
terfuge in Considering
Military Strength.
THRUSTS AT FRANCE

Copyright, 1921, br THE NEW York HERALD.
GENEVA. Sept. 15.-The disarmament
machinery of the League Of Nations.
which at least was expected to have
collected some information by this
time. has been completely stalled-not
by reason of the absentation OF the
United States from it's councils, but
because the War Ministries OF Europe
put their own men on the permanent
treaty. with view to thwarting the
whole plan.
That charge was made in the league
assembly to-day by Christian Lange
of Norway. who seemed to voice ef-
fectively the opinion of the non-mili-
tary nations why the league has made
such a ridiculous failure in it's efforts.
Also his remarks explain the current
scepticism here regarding the results
that will be achieved in the confer
ence in Washington for the limitation
of armament unless the nations. when
they meet there, completely change
their attitude and lay aside the sub
terfuge they have been resorting to.
Uncovers Commission Action.
Mr.. Lange tore away some Of the veil
covering the labors Of the Permanent
Commission and showed why the labor
OF the mountain of the Peace Confer
ence had produced mouse. in so far as
kou n RI ioor av,f
concerned.
Effectively guided by certain Powers.
this Assembly's committees likewise are
producing nothing at all, attribut'ng
their non-action to the fact that the
United states is out OF the league.
Mr.. Lange said. however. that this
excuse did not hold water because, In
the first place, the United States has
now taken the lead in the question OF
disarmament, and. secondly. while the
Forthcoming conference in Washington
will be primarily to discuss limitation
of naval armament, the great peril to
many nations lies In the land armaments
in Europe.
About these land armamcnts all possf-
BILE secrecy has been cast. although
league members We're supposed to be
honest and for publicity, he said. and
asked:
when members come to the table OF
diplomacy with revolvers in their poclS-
cts can It be said that they are honest?"
Mr. Lange himself served on the
disarmament committee last year. The
committees resolution. calling on the
council to carry out Article VIII. of the
covenant, relating to disarmament and
the exchange of information In that
connection. had, Mr.. Lange declared. ap-
parently been thrown under the council
table. That action, he charged. had
been taken on the advice Of the Dis
armament Commission.
Outpost of War Ministries.
Its members are not nominated By
the league" he continued. "They are
nominated By the various War Min
fstries and Admiraltes of the different
countries. and they receive instruction
from their Ministries. That Is to say.
in the league itself. in dealing with this
question. there Ia an outpost OF War
Ministries which regard these ques-
tioIib lToHl tHc punt OI NieW Ol military
attaches, ard not as servants OF the
league"
In the opinion OF Mr.. Lange that
was largely why the whole league plan
had failed, why the resolutions passed
by the assembly last year were not
followed and why excuses like those or
Arthur J. Balfour OF Great Britain fell
to the ground
The United States. Germany and Rus
sia were not military bogles. he de-
clared, although they might be outside
the league IL was the States possessing
great armies which were the cause of
the distrust on the part of their neigh
bors.
why should we not now extend fur
ther the noble initiative taken by the
President of the United States?" he
asked
Mr.. Lange's speech was the first clear
cut protest against armament In Europe.
II made such n powerful impression here
to-day that the committee may have to
change it's report. Rene Viviani OF
France is expected TO reply 10 Mr.. Lange.
as the thrust of the Norwegian delegate
was clearly at France. but NJ. Viviani
is now laid up with rheumatism.
Conversations with members OF the
Permanent Commission seem to Indicate
| that Mr.. Lange's charges are true.
after ALL" said one expert. 1T Is not
| a. question to-day Of so many cannon
and men. 1t Is question Of chemical
| factories and who Is going to disarm