File 1355/1917 Pt 6 'Arms Traffic Convention: revised convention, 1925' [‎501v] (1009/1226)

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problem as a whole and endeavour to find a solution, taking account of the position
of our own countries, but at the same time not forgetting the situation of other
countries, nor the perfectly legitimate susceptibilities which may be injured unless
we observe the greatest possible care.
We have listened yesterday and this morning to some very remarkable speeches
by our eminent colleagues. We have already been able to deduce certain very-
important conclusions from those speeches. Allow me to draw attention to some of*
the points which I think are especially worthy of note.
Mr. Matsuda said we must avoid going too far into details, and that we must
approach with the greatest caution any question which affected the sovereignty of
States. Those are two vital points which we should always bear in mind. One of
them is the result of long experience of international politics, while the other is
inspired by the necessity of respecting sovereignty, which is one of the essential
attributes of any country. Both of them are in entire conformity with the Covenant
of the League of Nations, which for my Government, as for all others, is the basis of
the definition and determination of our rights and obligations.
Article 23, paragraph (d), of the covenant lays down the principle of the general
supervision of the trade in arms and munitions with those countries in regard to
which supervision is indispensable in the common interest. Article 8 of the covenant
(in connection with another question) lays down the necessity of taking account of
the requirements of those members of the League who cannot manufacture the arms
and war material which are necessary for their safety.
The Spanish Government w^as noi among the signatories of the Treaty of Saint-
Germain, because it did not have occasion to take part in the preparation of that
convention in view of circumstances which are well knowm. When the time came,
however, it promised to adhere to it, subject to only one reservation which did not
affect either the system or the substance of that convention. It gave an assurance
that the putting into force of that convention would not be retarded by any action
on its part.
A short time afterwards, when, in view of the course of events, the Council of
the League of Nations decided to request the Temporary Mixed Commission to draw-
up a new draft convention, the Spanish Government took such interest in the task
of finding a solution for the difficulties which it was desired to remove that one of
its delegates, Admiral the Marquis de Magaz, who was sitting in another capacity
in the Temporary Mixed Commission, submitted, in January 1924, a draft con
vention, wdiich you will find on p. 61 of the Brown Book (C.758.M.258.1924, IX).
The text wLich you now have before you w T as prepared on the basis of the Convention
of Saint-Germain, developed and strengthened as regards the general control of the
traffic by the embodiment in it of certain ideas which were suggested by the draft
prepared by Admiral the Marquis de Magaz and M. Houhaux.
I recall these circumstances to you simply to show how desirous the Spanish
Government and its delegations have showm themselves to co-operate in this task and
to put the whole of their efforts at the service of the cause of peace, order and
humanity. We do not forget that the convention which you are about to prepare
will constitute a step forward—modest, it is true, but still worthy of note—towards
the ultimate goal of disarmament.
I cannot conclude my remarks without making one appeal to the w isdom of this
conference and the sincerity of the Governments w r hich are here represented Lj
you know, the competent organ of the secretariat of the League of Nations pubhshe^
a short time ago a pamphlet, numbered A. 30, 1924, which is a very interesting
collection of statistics supplied by Governments with regard to the export and impor
of arms and war material. This pamphlet contains some very interesting f ac ^
One, in particular, the data which it gives us, shows that the total of arms and
material exported in 1920 is represented by 140 million dollars, but that an amou
only represented by 32^ million dollars is shown as imported. In 1921 and
discrepancy is not quite so great, but it is somewhere near 50 per cent. Ter a ^
this result, upon which it is hardly necessary for me to comment, is occasione
difference of interpretation of the questionnaires received by the Governments,
whatever may be its explanation, it is highly desirable that we should take s ep^
avoid in the new convention anything which might lead to a similar result.
M. von ECKARDT (Germany) (translation): If I venture to speak after dj 1 ®
eloquent discourse to which we have listened from M. Paul-Boncour, it 18 ® q ^
you for the remarks which you made the day before yesterday in regard ^
German delegation. We are deeply gratified at the friendly welcome which has
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