New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-09-09
Nations Give
Reasons They
Can't Disarrl,
Members of League Agree
They Must Support Pres
emit Strength Until Neigh
bors Gut Down Armies
Russia Still a Menace
Convention Is Planned to
Induce Rest of Group to
Sign Washington Treaty
By Wilbur Forrest
Special cao,e to The rrtonne

Special Cable to The Tribune
Copyright 1922. New York Tribune Inc.
GENEVA, Sept. S.-Coming on the
heels of the Assembly's admissions
that the League of Nations efforts for
the technical reduction Of armaments
had utterly failed, the Tribune CORE
spondent learned to-day that the
Geneva secretariat now has received
replies from twenty-four nations that
were asked what political reasons nre-
vented the reductions being made.
These replies include all the great ma
tions represented in the league and may
be summed up in an emphatic refusal
to cut down armaments.
The reasons. given are practically
Identical namely, until certain neigh
boring countries decide TO cut down
the league must not ask them to do go,
None, according to The Tribunes in
formation, offers to take the initiative,
although practically all agree that
arnaaments are a source of heavy bur
den to their peoples and governments
and the leagues effort an admirable
one, except in their particular case
which renders them unable at the
present time to comply.
Specific replies from various nations
VIII be made public here on Monday,
when the armament reduction commits
sion reports on the progress of it's
work. 1t was this situation which led
Lord Robert Cecil to deliver his strong
speech to the Assembly on the moral
disarmament Of Europe, which must
precede the actual reduction.
Belgium Still Fears Germany
In her answer Belgium states that so
long as the possibility Of conflict with
Germany exists on account of the un-
settled condition Of that country, it is
necessary to maintain an adequate
army defense.
France replies that her ornaments
must simultaneously meet the interna-
tional obligations arising from the ap-
plication of treaties and tho require
ments for the security Of the country,
tion Of the Rhine provinces, mainte-
nance of order in Upper Silesia, occupa-
tion Of Constantinople and the man
dates for Syria, Cameroons and Togo
land require 100000 troops, while the
protection of tho colonial empire re-
quires 100000. For the maintenance of
internal order 125,000 are needed, and
with the forces necessary for the de-
tense of the country against external
enemies France fixes her total require
rlents at 100000 men, as against 725,-
900 mobilized at present.
Great Britain points out that her
effective white troops already are much
smaller than those of France, Belgium
and Russia and not much greater than
those of Italy and Japan.
Italy estimates her present forces
RS indispensable to the safety of the
country, and she may be forced to
provide greater protection for her
frontiers. Japan answers that her
forces already have been reduced to o
minimum The replies from the ma
tions of the Little Entente as we'll as
from the Baltic States earnestly point
out the futility Of reduction of armies
while the Soviet government continues
active on military lines.
Among the twenty-four nations
which have so far responded are Great
Continued on paes four)