Evening star., 1925-03-13
NEAR-FATAL BLOW
TOLEAGUE SEEN IN
PROTOCOL FAILURE
British Rejection Held to
Have Doomed Proposed
Security Pact.
ARMS AND PEACE ISSUES
AGAIN ARE OPENED WIDE
Document Coming Before Body
in September-Paris Stunned
by Chamberlain's Attack.
By the Associated Press.

Dt tHe hssOclaten freSs.
GENEVA, March 13-The League OF
Nations disarmament and security
protocol put out OF present considera-
ton, at least, by the rejection of II
voiced yesterday by Great Britain on
behalf of herself and all her
dominions, except Ireland, was re-
ferred by the council of the league
today TO the next league assembly,
together with the pronouncements
made upon it by the. British and
representatives of other powers.
Addressing the council at the open
ing of today's meeting, Foreign
Minister Benes of Czechoslovakia, one
of the principal proponents of the
protocol, elaborated at the last as
sembly session. delivered an eloquent
appeal that the principles of the
protocol be preserved.
DR.. Benes insisted that whatever
might be the weaknesses of the in
strument, which was constructed in
one short month at Geneva, the ideas
behind II were essential to the league
and the world TO prevent further
destructive wars.
Disrussion Goes Over.
Subsequently, the council adopted Z
resolution referring the protocol ano
the declarations made by Great
Britain and other countries TO the
next league assembly and postponing
preparations for the proposed dis
armament conference until the as
sembly had reached some decision.
Before the resolution was submitted
TO a vote. Austen Chamberlain. the
British foreign secretary. announced
that Great Britain wished TO reafiirm
her firm attachment to the principles
of arbitration and disarmament. be
cause she was anxious to do her share
In giving peace and security 10 the
world.
Mr.. Chamberlain added that II
Great Britain was obliged to rejeci
the protocol, 1t was because she be-
lieved the league covenant better
served the purposes and goal Of the
nations.
The resolution, unanimously adopt
ed, means that the sixth assembly,
opening in September, Will institute
an entirely new examination of the
problem of international peace and
reduction of armaments, including the
British suggestion for special defen-
sive treaties operating under the
guidance of the league.
Agrees With Some Criticism.
DR.. Benes, in his address, frankly
agreed with some of the criticisms
of the protocol the British secretary
for foreign affairs had voiced in his
speech yesterday, but repudlated
Mr. Chamberlain's contention that
the protocol destroyed the balance
and spirit of the covenant. He
recalled that the great war had
destroyed four great empires, upset
Il l;cl,a n q oia fro
given birth to new countries, dis
lodged governing classes and caused
clashes between states and classes.
The war, DIR. BeIfes declared, had
put states in opposition to one an
other and had created new problems
Of great compleXity. From Finland to
ConStantinople. straight down through
Europe. he insisted, there now exist
causes of conflict, and the murder of a
frontier agent might conceivably start
the terrible war over again. The world,
he declared. desires 10 find other meas
ures than force to settle disputes, and
this was true especially of the smaller
nations. which desired to live in peace
and security. That, he said, was why
arbitration was put in the protocol.
Spurned by Canada.
Canada has notified the League of
Nations that she cannot adhere to the
leagues security protocol, but is pre-
pared to consider acceptance of COM
pulsory jurisdiction by the World
Court of Justice, with certain reser-
vations. and is willing to participate
in any general conference for reduc-
tion of armamentS which does not in
volve prior acceptance of the protocol.
A communication developing these
points received by cable from Premier
Mack enzie King, declares that after
careful examination of the protocol
the Canadian government has reached
the following conclusions:
"First-Canada should continue to
give wholehearted support to the
League of Nations. particularly its
work of conciliation, cooperation and
publicity.
"Second-We do not consider it in
the interests of Canada, the British
Empire or the league itself to recon-
mend to Parliament adherence to the
protocol. particularly its rigid provi-
sions for application of economic or
military sanctions IN practically every
future war
Among the grounds for this con-
clusion is consideration of the effect
of the non-participation of the United
States upon attempts to enfore sane
tions (penalties), and particularly so
in the case of a contiguous country
like Canada"
pApTC re SnTTArNrn