Evening star., 1927-11-30
SOVIET PROPOSES
ADJUSTMENT Of
ALL ARMAMENTS
Russian Delegates Rock &C.
neva ParIey by Drastic
Suggestion.
PLAN COVERS SCRAPPING
OF WORLD AIR FORCES
Resolution Calls for Conference Of
Powers Not Later Than
March, 1928.
Ry the Associated Press.

GENEVA, Switzerland, November
S0.-Soviet Russia today threw a
''peace bomb" into the opening ses
sion of the preparatory disarmament
commission, by formally proposing
the abolition of all land, marine and
air forces.
Admitting that the Soviet proJect
was a radical suggestion, Maxim Li''
yinoff. chief of the Soviet delegatlon'
called for the dissolution OF all lano'
sea and air forces and the non'admlt'
tance of their existence in any con-
cealed form whatsoever.
The proposal caused a profound
sensation at the conference, although
MANY delegates were seen to smile as
N thew considered the scheme more
than utopian as Litvinoff developed
the sweeping Soviet project.
Complete Abolition Asked.
a The Russian delegate submitted as
the other cardinal points of the project
that all weapons and military sup,
plies, means for chemical warfare anu
ali other material forms of<armament
he DESTROYED: that all warships, mill
tarv and aircraft be scrapped, ana
that the system of calling up citizens
for military training be discontinued.
The Soviet delegation introduced
resolution calling for the immediate
working out in detail OF draIt CON
yention for complete general as
armament on principles submitted py
them. The resolution also provided
for the convocation of a disarmament
conference not later than March.
1928. Scrapping of all warships and
the destruction Of all fortresses, II
accepted by the powers. would be car
ried out in period of from one 10
four wears under the Soviet scheme.
ARMED force is a weapon in the
hands of the great powers for the
oppression of peoples in small and
colonial countries, and complete aboli-
tion of armaments is at present the
only real means of guaranteeing Sc
curity and affording guarantee
against the outbreak OF war, was
one of the striking phrases in the
Soviet resolution.
Lead to Conflicts.
Another striking phrase was that
the existence of armaments and tnelr
tendency to growth, by their very
nature, inevitablyraea u. .affned con-
fiicts between nations. diverting the
workers and peasants from peaceiui
productive labor and bringing In
train of countless disasters.
As the Russians desired draft
convention framed Immediately, they
did not favor waiting for addltionai
international security, question
which is very close to the hearts or
many European nations, particularly
France.
After introduction Of the Russian
resolution, the forenoon session OF tne
commission adjourned, but not before
DR.. J. J. Loudon Of Holland, VINO pre-
sided, had declared that it was clear
that the difference between the Rus-
sian viewpoint and that of the other
nations was not In its aim, put In It's
method of approach to the problem.
The delegates to the conference left
the hall in earnest discussion OF the
Soviet plan. One remarked that the
scheme goes further than the prof.
ect for the outlawry of war. which
Senator Borah and other Americans
have been advocating, because it en-
tails the abolishment of the means
of making war, the disbanding OF
armies, navies, dismantling of ammu-
milton factories and the discontinuance
Of military service.
Views Polish Issue.
The delegates also attached impor.
tance to one of Litvinoff's subsequent
utterances that if the Soviet were
found too revolutionary, the Russians
would be ready to participate in any
more modest plan of disarmament
when anything practical was proposed.
Concluding his address, Litvinoff,
seeking to show how Russia was La.
boring for peace in a practical man.
ner, told how the Russian government
had sent a note to Lithuania, as well
as to Poland recently, counseling the
Kovno government to become recon
ciled with Poland and put an end to
the state of war now technically ex-
listing between those countries, state
"whose continued existence creates
great danger for the peace Of the
Baltic"
Complete teamwork between the
German and Russian delegations had
been expected at Geneva, but it func-
toned even better than had been an
ticipated by members Of the commits
sion. Count Won Bernstorff, the Ger
man delegate. in his opening remarks,
advocated a general discussion Of dis
armament for the benefit Of new mem.
bers upon the commission, thus leav-
ing fine opening for Litvinoff's pres.
entation of the Russian general dis.
armament plan without consideration
Of political hindrances.
Security Emphasized.
France and some other nations in.
sist that discussion Of disarmament be
thrust aside until security has been
notably strengthened. They point out
that emphasis on security is justified
In resolutions adopted by the last AS
sembly Of the League. The Assembly
authorized a special committee to con
slider measures capable of giving al
the states guaranteed arbitration and
security necessary to enable them tt
fix the level Of their armaments at the
lowest possible figure when the
League conference is actually con.
voked.
The disarmament meeting may over
lap the session of the League Council
Nhich meets Monday, If the German
and Russians press their views.
Marshal Pilsudski, Polish premier
will come to Geneva to defend th
Warsaw government at the Leagu
Council meeting against Lithuanian
charges of mistreatment Of Lithuanian
clergy in the wilma region, and Polisl
interference in Lithuanian affairs.
Crowds Follow Russians.
The Soviet delegation is occupying
the center Of the stage. Crowds as
sembled both at the hotel where tn
headquarters of the Russians are es
tablished and at the League Palac
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