Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-05-16

Proposal for Divorce of Bu-
reau From Body Brings
Warm Debate.
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
GENEVA, May IA spirited de-
tense of the League of Nations char
acterized today's session of the inter
national conference for the control of
traffic in arms and munitions.
This came during debate on the
American amendment to divorce the
proposed international arms trafnc
control bureau from the league. The
smaller states represented at the con-
ference through the Spanish and Ru-
manian delegates, said the league, al
though perhaps imperfect, was a 60
ing concern that represented the hopes
of humanity and that it would be use
less to create a new organization
which would only hinder the league.
Referred to Committee.
The American amendment was
eventually referred to a special COM
mittee of eight, including Representa-
tive Theodore L. Burton of Ohio, head
of the American delegation, who Of
fered the amendment.
Mr.. Burton defended his proposal
that the control office be orga niZed by
the signers OF the arms convention
themselves instead OF being appointed
by the league council. He said this
question was serious for America,
because under the proposed conVen-
ton the control Office would be a part
of the League of Nations, OF which
the United States is not member.
Mr.. Burton said the delegates must
recognize that his Government sees
practical difficulties in accepting
treaty obligations concerning an or
ganization set up by the league.
Representative Burton admitted
that another article of the draft
makes partial adherence possible, but
said that altogether it was undesirable
that convention be adopted to which
reservations would have to be made.
One clause of this article, he said,
would make conditional adherence de-
pend upon the consent of other sign
ers, and also upon whether such add
herence interfered with the effective
ness of arms control.
Sees Reservations Fought.
This would make it possible in the
case OF American reservations for any
one of 40 countries to object to these
reservations said Mr.. Burton. More
over, what body is to decide whether
reservations will effect desirable SUI
pervision. II is impossible TO do So"
AS alternatives to the creation of a
central office by the signers of an
arms pact, Mr.. Burton suggested:
First, that arms statistics could be
communicated TO the French foreign
office, since the ratification will be re-
ported there; second, that special
body with a secretariat be chosen by
eight or ten states; or, third, that re-
ports be made to body of Ministers
or Ambassadors to the same state,
presumably the Ministers to Switzer-
land.
Spanish Envoy Acts.
The existence of opposition to the
American proposal to eliminate the
league council became apparent when
Emilio de Palacios of the Spanish del
egation introduced an amendment by
which both the United States and Ger
many would be invited to nominate
one person to participate in the estab-
lishment of a central office. It's eff
feet would be to have the United
States and Germany join the league
council in making 1.-The appointment.
Il canrot see why the United States
cannot accept this solution" said
Palacios. 1T cannot be disputed that
the League of Nations exists. We are
meeting under its auspices. We can
not force any state to join the league,
but by the same token we cannot our
selves renounce our loyalty to the
league"
The Rumanian delegate declared he
appreciated American scruples regard
ing the League of Nations, but the
league unites So nations" he argued.
I'VE have not reached our goal, but
we believe we are approaching it, For
smaller states it is a fine, new thing
to be able to come here and speak on
equal footing. We wish this institu-
ton to prosper, and we wish to ward
off any blow directed against it."
In order to meet the American view,
as expressed by Representative Bur
ton several delegates favored aban-
doning the idea of a central office,
leaving the states to exchange infor-
nation among themselves. DIR. Wal
ter a. Riddell of Canada said a solu-
ton of the problem could be found sat
isfactory to league members and to
the United States, whose position he
said, Canada appreciated. The Ven
ezuelan spokesman thought the CEN
trail Office was unnecessary. With
out it we will be able to satisfy the
American viewpoint" he said. and at
the same time will not harm the cove
nant. which prevents members from
submitting to control organized out
side the league"