New Britain herald., 1925-05-14
Officially File An Amendment At Gene va-British Want To Examine Ships.
|. s. Proposal Would Have Munitions Statistics Pub- lished Quarterly Instead of Annually.

Geneva, May 14.-(AP) -- The American delegation 10 the league of nations international conference for ne control of traffic Tn arms and munitions today officially filed an amendment 10 divorce the arms con- ycntion from the league of nations.
 British Amendment
 The British delegates submitted uu amendment mainly intended to give Great Britain the right to ex- anime all ships suspected of carrying arms destined to her colonies and authorizing penalties for illegal ship ments.
 The Japanese delegation vigorous ty combatted this proposal as serious impedment to free nayiga- ion and liberty of transit
 The presentation of the American amendment. although expected in many quarters, caused something of :. sensation.
 The convention of the conference "hich it is proposed to amend pro- >idcs that a central international off, ice shall be established by the council of the league of nations for ,he collection and publication of documents Of all kinds relating to ,raffic in arms.
 Burton Amendment
 The amendment offered by Repre- ,-ntativo Theodore F. Burton, head rr the American delegation, pro- aidcs for a central office but omits na specifications that it be appoint ,d by the leagues council.
 IL differs also from the conference convention by saying that a certain 4umber of states 10 be determined iater shall nominate representatives 70 the central office and these repre- ~entatives shall determine lis or Ganization and functions, including he method Of eIccting their success sors.
 The Burton amendment will be discussed later.
 Turkish Amendment
 Turkey proposed a new clause WhCrcundor the powers would agree not 0 hinder or delay the movement through their territory of war ma torial cn route 10 government recognized hy tWo-thiris of the sign IFS of the convention and licensed 10 import arne. Other amendments were also proposed which contcm- slated an even wilor search of arms rarrers than Great Britain had sug- ycstcd.
 Uruguay offered an amendment requiring arms exporting countries 10 respect the internal legislation Of importing countries. This WAS con- aidore1 to have close relation to sections Of the Versailles and other treaties which obirn cy,oncmy countries 10 adopt legislation pro nihiting the import of arms.
 The French delegates have been insisting that this question shall he borne in mind. Apparently France wishes to prevent Germany. Bu'- garia, Austria and Hungary from ac- mirng under the proposed arms convention rights which arc denied thom under the peace treaties which rndcd the world war,
 American Publicity
 The American proposal requires quarterly instead Of annual pnbHca- lion of statistics regarding manu- facturo Of arms and requires reports on certain classification Of arms upon which reports are not required rnd"r the convention unless II is proved they are intended for export. The Burton amendment also clim- mates the convention's requirement Tor publicity regarding larms con- tracts antcdating the ratification Of 'h" convention.
 The American amendment today recalls the situation during the re- cent Geneva conference for the in- tcrOational control of traffic in opium. whoa efforts were made to meet American objections to the connection Of the league with the
 
 O have central opium board ap- pointcd by the states represented on he leagues council plus the United States and Germany. However, 1t vas later decided that the board should he appointed by the council Of the League of Nations with the understanding that the United States and Germany should hc invited 70 participate in making the appoint ments.
 Washing ton, May l4. (AP)-The amendment introduced today by Theodore Burton, chairman of the American delegation to the Geneva arms traffic conference is intended merely to divorce the international office proposed in the draft convea- ton now under consideration from control by the League of Nations.
 It was said at the state depart ment that it in no way was intended 10 separate the present conference from league supervision. IL is understood 10 be the belief of MT. Burton and his colleagues that if the office were left free 10 function as an Independent agency it would he in 9 position to give more satisfactory service to nations which nay be members Of the arms traffic agreement but which are not affiU- ated directly with tha League ot SIasns itsslt,