Armaments

For the most part, the Arms Traffic Conference at Geneva (TIME, May 11, 18) fired on all its cylinders, but there were several cases of ignition trouble, and it was felt that the engine was untrustworthy and might at any time develop more serious defects.

Business for last week:

P:A U. S. proposal to strike revolvers from the list of controllable weapons was passed nem, con.

P:P: A British proposal to exclude warships, submarines, air-and seaplanes and airships from control was passed by a small majority. The U.S. voted to exclude.

P:An Italian proposal to exclude tanks was defeated. The U.S. voted to exclude.

P:An Italian proposal to exclude armored trains was tied three times. The U.S. voted to exclude. The proposal was subsequently approved in committee.

P:A U.S. proposal, interpolating in the definition of "arms" the words "designed for use in land, sea and aerial warfare," was passed.

P:A Turkish proposal to make it obligatory for a Government to grant licenses for the export of arms to any recognized Government was opposed and referred to committee.

P:The U. S., through its representative, Congressman Theodore E. Burton of Ohio, announced its willingness to sign a convention providing for the publication of all armaments statistics. The offer was received with mixed feelings. Poland and Rumania dissented because of their proximity to Russia (unrepresented at the Conference). The matter was ultimately referred to committee.

P:A Hungarian proposal to exclude flammenwerfen (flame projectors) from the list of controllable weapons was carried. Hungary pointed out that these weapons were already barred by International Law. The U. S. immediately moved a resolution to control all component parts.

P:A U.S. proposal permitting any Government to ship arms to any other Government was passed. Britain thereupon introduced an amendment giving Governments the right to search ships suspected of carrying arms designed to foment trouble against them, citing the case of India where arms-smuggling was the cause of constant strife on the Northwest Frontier. The amendment was badly received and discussion was adjourned.

P:The Conference missed on five of its six cylinders when Mr. Burton introduced a U.S. amendment, the significant part of which read:

"Upon the coming into force of the convention, the powers mentioned in Article 32 and [blank for number] other powers shall nominate representatives to form the central international office. These representatives shall, in accordance with provisions of the convention, determine the organization and functions of the central international board, including election of their successors at the end of their terms, which shall be three years."

It was noted that the "League of Nations" nowhere appeared in the text, which seemed purposely designed to free the functions of the central office from the jurisdiction of the" League. Not a nation, with the exception of Canada, could accept the amendment; and, after some lengthy polemics, the question was referred to committee. As a compromise, it was finally decided to have no central international office.