Evening star., 1922-07-04
BRITAIN PROPOSES
FOUR ALLIANCES
IOD|SARM WORLD
PIanBefore League Provides
Defensive Treaties for
Big Continents.
REGION OF "AMERICA'
ENTIRELY SEPARATED
Ratio for Reduction Similar to
That Stipulated Here Advocated
by Lord Esher.
By the Associated Press.

by Lord Esher.
By the Associated Press.
PARIS. July 4.-The plan for gen.
eral world disarmament, which was
laid before the temporary mixed COM
mission on disarmament of the
league of nations yesterday afternoon
by Lord Robert Cecil of Great Britain,
was presented In full detail at this
mornings session of the commission.
This plan is said to have been favor
ably received by most of the dele
gates
All nations, according to Lord
Roberts plan, would sign a general
agree to go to the defense of nations
in their respective regions or con-
tinents in case Of aggression.
May Meet U. s. Objection.
The principal American objection
TO article y of the league of nations,
IL is held, would be met by this re-
gional defensive plan. inasmuch as
the United States already is commit
ted to similar bolicy on the Amer
1can continent under the Monroe doc
trine. and Lord Roberts plan is de-
signed to limit each nations obliga-
tions in defensive alliances to such
regions.
Lord Roberts plan provides for a
permanent military commission to be
the active controlling authority sub
ject to approval by the council of the
No
would determine whether the con-
tracting powers were complying with
tie agreement for reduction of
ornaments and whether any states
preparations constituted menace and
II so what measures the other ma
tions should take to aid the state
so menaced
Divides World Into Four Regions.
These measures would be binding
upon the aiding powers when ap-
proved by three-fourths majority
- the council
The plan divides the world into four
!-sionS-America, Europe Asia and
--irica. Only the powers in each re-
Sion would be obligated to aid a
ihenaced nation upon the commits
.oh recommendation. approved by
the league council. The reduction of
advance and constantly checked up,
and II any nation exceeded the
amount of armaments allowed under
the agreement it would be subject to
penalties provided for under article
AVl of the covenant of the league of
nations. The reduction would apply
to naval. military and air forces.
All members of the league of ma
tions and the United States. Germany
and Russia are eligible to enter into
the supposed agreement. and any of
these might adhere to it only par
TALLY if the council should approve
such action and If specified reduc-
tions in armaments are made.
Court to Decide Disputes.
All disputes as to the meaning and
effect of the treaty, except in decid-
amount allowed, shall be submitted to
the permanent court of international
justice for final decision.
The plan submitted by Lord Esher
for ratio similar to that stipulated
in the Washington agreement.
Lord Esher's plan gives the tenta-
tive ratios as follows. each unit rep
resenting 10000 men:
France, units: Italy, 4 Poland, A.;
Czechoslovakia, Great Britain, Greece,
Jugoslavia. Holland. Rumania and
Spain. each: Belgium. Denmark,
each; Portugal, 1 unit. and Germany,
Austria. Bulgaria and Hungary to
retain their forces as fixed by the
peace treaties.
These ratios would apply only to
the home forces. Each nation would
be free to determine the number nee
essary for colonial and overseas pur-
poses. This ratio agreement would
be effective two months after being
signed by all the participants and
would continue for ten years.
Hailed by French.
Jord pohort r,a;l,.
plan was received with considerable
enthusiasm in French official circles,
where 1t was asserted that it was
Just and fair to all nations involved
Lord Roberts basic argument that no
disarmament could be effected unless
1t is universal is strongly indorsed
by French officials, who said today
that such had been the French posi-
ton since the armistice.
While indorsing the idea of re-
ton French officials pointed out that
there was little or no disposition on
the part of nations at this time to
enter into such agreements 1t was
further indicated that Lord Roberts
plan, If 1t comes definitely before the
European nations. would receive
French support.
The first of the three projects.
d, which was carefully prepared by the
British admiralty, calls for extern
WASH.
ington naval limitation treaty to
fifteen other powers who were not
signatories of the Washington pact.
thereby making the Washington
: agreement universal. The plan has
been approved in detail by the British
naval experts. 1t is in the form of
a treaty.
Calls for Army Cuts.
The second plan, proposed by Lord
Esher, calls for land disarmament onf a
ratio basis similar to the ratio system
worked out for naval reductions
Lord Robert informed the Associ-
ated Press that he did not expect prog
ress on any Of the three projects at the
present session, but he hoped they would
be carried far enough for definite action
by the third assembly of the league
next September.
The results of one years effort by the
mixed commission were reviewed by the
members and it was emphasized that the
uncertain political situation existing in
the world had been responsible very
largely for the small progress made
toward general disarmament The DO
litfcal situation, 1t was further pointed
out, must play an important part in all
consideration Of disarmament by the
European nations for several years to
. come.
Slow ON Reduction.
The replies of ten countries to the
assembly Of the leagues reiterated re-
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