The New York herald., 1921-09-20
WASHINGTON BETTER
Able TO CUT NAV|ES
Than IS THE LEAGUE
Viviani's Commission Hopes
Conference of Great
Powers Will Do 1t.
MOST EFFECTIVE PLAN
Expects Reduction Of Land
Forces on European Con-
tinent to Follow.
OPPOSES HEAVY EXPENSE
Says the Financial Position of
Nations Imperiously De-
mands Curtailment.
OPPOSES HEAVY EXPENSE


Copyright. 1921. by THE New YORK HERALD.
GENEVA, Sept. 19.-Admission that
the forthcoming conference on the
limitation of armaments to be held in
| Washington IS better qualified to deal
with naval disarmament by the Pow
contained in the report made to-day
of the Commission on Disarmament
named by the council and headed by
| Rene Viviani of France. The commits
sion holds that a more effective ac-
cord on naval disarmament could be
obtained by common agreement among
the great Powers in the Washington
conference than would be possible
through action by the league.
"Limitation OF naval armaments,
which presumably will be one of the
principal problems discussed in the
conference in Washington, can most
effectively be secured by common
agreement between the Powers" the
report says. "Tt is earnestly to be
hoped that this conference will be
! fruitful, and that a reduction Of land
armaments on the Continent of Eu-
rope will be supplemented by an un-
derstanding relative to reduction of
naval armaments.
Meanwhile n field of useful work
remains open to the League of Ma
tions. The financial position of the
European States imperiously demands
further reductions in military ex-
penditurcs and. indeed, 1t is not too
much to say that an economic revival
in Europe largely depends upon such
reductions being effected"
Failure ON Land Predicted.
While the report. which constitutes
the most important survey OF the
worlds stupendous disarmament prob
lem yet made. recognizes the para
n1ountcy OF the Washington conference
I'm the naval field. II. in effect considers
that the land problem is still reserved
for the league. 1t is in accord with the
general opinion In the present Geneva
meeting that land disarmament will
scarcely figure in the conference In
Washington, and this fact is nervlng
advanced European proponents Of dlsar-
mament like Signor Schanzer of Italy
and Mr.. Lange of Norway to demand
that this league meeting do on land
what the Washington meeting may do
on sea. But In this the commission Is
not likely to succeed. as seven-tenths
of the leagues votes are controlled by
strong military members.
| As the commission is composed OF
statesmen and military men. naval dis
armament was not considered. Regard
4 ing land disarmament. the commission
admits that no start has been made ex-
cept the disarmament forced upon enemy
| countries, and few. IL any, statistics
have been gathered because the political
situation was deemed too uncertain.
Mankind is still too far removed
from the ideals Of peace TO make posi-
BILE at present the solution of the aues-
| ton of disarmament" is the final con-
clusion In the commissions report.
six states Refuse Reduction.
Meanwhile France. Spain. Finland
Hatly the request BY the last Assembly
TO limit their expenditures for arma-
ments for two years to the amount OF
| this years budget. and not single mill
tary Power is accepting Internationally
the proposal.
Belgium, Australia and Canada ac-
cepted II with the reservation contained
in the recommendation itself. which was
that any contribution of troops asked
by the league should not be included In
the total Great Britain, New Zealand,
India and Italy accepted 1t with the
reservation that the recommenda tion
must be adopted by all the other Powers.
Holland agreed, on the UNDERSTANDING
that account be taken OF the rising
prices. Denmark. Norway, Rumania
and Chile simply stated that increases
In their budgets were improbable. Spain
and France held that budgets did no.
afford a fair indication Of military
strength.
! Finland and Poland declared that
special geographical and political situr-
tions made IL impossible TO agree to the
leagues plan. Greece pleaded a state ~
war. Turkey and Jugo- Siavia found the
condition Of international affairs un.
favorable for the adoption OF the leagues
u
visable 10 await the conclusion OF III
councils plan for disarmament.
The replies OF Sweden. South Africa
and Brazil were regarded as inconclu-
sive. while Austria and Bulgaria pointed
out that their military expenditure was
fixed by the peace treaties.
OF the twenty seven replies received
seventeen were classed as favorable,
seven as unfsvorable and three as
vague The absence of the United
States, Germany and Russia from tie
league constitutes SO of the greatest
obstacles. III the opinion Of tho commits
sion. which adds that the differences %
opinion arise from the varying policies
OF the different countries. varying cir
cumstances and changing conditions
from year TO year
One of the most significant features
Of the report Is NJ. Vivianfs statement
/ that the element of national security Is
/ paramount. and even with the number
OF soldiers and tho amount OF war mate