Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-13
SHARP EXCHANGES
MARK ARMS TALK
Cecil and Litvinoff Tilt Over
Question of Actual De-
sire for Cut.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
GENEVA, November 13.-The Pre-
paratory Disarmament Commission
struggled through a confused session
today without reaching any conclusion
on the problem of how to limit land
and war material
The sitting was adjourned in the midst
of consideration Of a British resolu-
ton which sought to summarize con-
flicting attitudes in the commission
and after a rather sharp exchange be-
tween Lord Cecil, the British delegate.
and Maxim Litvinof of Russia.
The American delegation took no
part in the discussion
The British resolution, the first two
sections of which adopted almost unani-
mously, read:
Exchange Of Information.
THE commission ID approves the
principle that there should be the full
est possible interchange of information
respecting ornaments between parties
to the proposed convention, CD records
the desire of most of the members of
the commission to find some method
which will provide for limitation of
war material in a more precise manner
than can be achieved by publicity
alone, (3) recognizing that a majority
Of the commission is of the opinion
that as to land war material, the most
practical method of securing this more
precise limitation is by budgetary limi-
tationi that other members Of the COM
mission are Of the opinion that the
most practical method is by direct limi-
cfo nd
that q certain number would desire TO
see some combination of the two
methods"
Voting on the third section was post
poned IN order to give Lord Cecil time
to adjust defects to several suggestions.
Wants Position Defined.
The British spokesman said the pur-
pose OF his resolution was to determine
exactly where the commission stood
20 that its opinions might be transferred
to the text of the draft convention.
The only opposition to this move
came from Litvinoff who made a wai1n
attack upon it. He rejected each sec
ton in turn, declaring in effect that
they were of no value and did not ac-
complish what the commission was
assembled for. People expected the
commission TO fix some method of linii-
whether the members of the commission
ARE good fellows or whether they are
inspired by pure motives and high pur-
poses"
Lord Cecil restorted that IAtvinof had
really given no reasons for opposing his
resolution.
Definite Ideas Asked.
IT would say to Mr.. Litvinoff," Lord
Cecil asserted, that 1t is not enough
merely to object to every proposition
put forward before the commission. 1t
Is essential to offer some definite propo-
sitions."
Then noting the Russians disap-
proval of the second section, Lord Cecil
changed his workings from Unanimous
desire" to provide a precise limitation
Of war materials to "the desire of al
most all members"
The confusion In procedure became
so marked today with the profusion of
proposals being dumped before the COM
mission that Lord Cecil threw up his
hands as II in despair, saying to Chair
man Loudon: II beseech the chairman
TO let us Ihave something clear and
definite to vote on"
At another stage of the debate Lit
vinon said IT must confess that the
procedure is getting more and more
obscure"