Evening star., 1936-11-08

assassinated; those from Soviet Russia,
whose radio stations during 1885 alone
broadcast programs in So languages,
leading to frequent charges that they
were designed to cause trouble In
neighboring countries; those from
Italy, which only few months ago
England openly charged were Short
waved to Palestine and Egypt to
foment rebellion there, and those
now being heard from Spain, where
Loyalist and rebel radio stations vie
with one another day and night in
broadcasting reports obviously intend
ed for military advantage.
A USTRIA and Russia are sigma
tories, among the others in
cluding Albania, Czechoslovakia,
Denmark, France, Great Britain,
Greece, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hol-
land, Switzerland and Turkey. Also
among the signers were Uruguay, New
Zealand and India, although they are
far removed from the super charged
European scene.
Will the pact stop across-the-border
broadcasts designed to cause trouble in
other countries? Radio, as Lord Gran
bourne of England, undersecretary of
foreign affairs, asserted at the confer
ence, is a new weapon of immense
power which knows no frontiers" and
can be used "either to advance good
relations between countries or as a
violent and dangerous irritant." The
Geneva convention actually is sort
of gentlemen's agreement that radio
shall foster friendly relations rather
than war or rebellion, for the only ap-
peal from violations is through ordi-
nary diplomatic channels, with a spe-
cial Cancellation" procedure provided
before either the Court of 1nterna-
tional Justice at the Hague or the
Leagues Committee Of Intellectual
Cooperation.
THE first article provides that the
high contracting parties shall
mutually undertake to prohibit and,
if occasion arises, to stop without delay
the broadcasting within their respec-
tive territories Of any transmission
which to the detriment Of good inter-
national understanding is of such a
character as to incite the population
of any territory to acts incompatible
with the internal order or the security
of high contracting party" The
article obviously relates to rebellion or
treason.
The second article undertakes to
ENSURE that transmission from sta
tions within their respective territories
shall not constitute an Indictment
either to war against another high
contracting party or to acts likely to
lead thereto" The third article un-
dertakes to prohibit or stop without
delay ANY transmission likely to harm
good international understanding by
statements the incorrectness of which
is or ought to be known to the persons
responsible for the broadcasts."
The remainder of the convention
relates to the accuracy of statements
about international relations that are
broadcast, the interchange of informa-
tion between countries, the establish
ment of regulations within each coun-
try to sustain the pact, the methods of
arbitration. After promulgating the
convention, the Geneva conference
adopted various other recommenda-
tions for the countries Of the world to
consider, including one urging con-
certed action in case of international
tension for the purpose of exerting by
appropriate broadcasts a common in
duence to lessen the tension and re-
store peaceful atmosphere"