File 1355/1917 Pt 6 'Arms Traffic Convention: revised convention, 1925' [‎502v] (1011/1226)

8
to transform factories which are manufacturing arms into factories which ina
manufacture ploughshares or other instruments of peace. We impatiently await
the day when this transformation in production can be carried out by agreement
with all the nations of the world. 1 even venture to express the hope here that all
these efforts, all that organising force which has hitherto been steadily directed
towards destruction, may be largely instrumental in solving the tremendous social
problem and ensuring the happiness of humanity when they are used for constructir
purposes. But now, at any rate, the question at issue is that of settling the ways
and means regarding the distribution of arms. I am convinced that production no
less than distribution, follows laws which are as exact as the laws of nature. This
may be examined in all its phases, and treaties will emerge for purposes of practical
application. I am similarly convinced that the maxims of international law are at
the present moment beginning to be codified in the minds of the people, and are
gradually assuming the form of common law. 1 share the hope of those who believe
that the present convention will at no distant date extend to all the States and thus
become bully effective. That is why Czechoslovakia is prepared to collaborate
effectively, as it firmly believes in the success of the conference. It will meet the
wishes of the conference in every way, and realising its responsibility towards the
undertakings to which it has already subscribed and towards the spirit of the League
of Nations. With regard to responsibility, I should further like to draw attention
to the existence of another form of responsibility, which, to my mind, is common to
us all—that is, responsibility towards the world public opinion. It would be
dangerous to consider this conference as a simple means for effecting a settlement
of the interests as between producers and consumers. World public opinion will
follow^ the work of this conference very closely, and will always see in it what it should
become, that is to say, the dawn of a new era in which progress will be made towards
peace. This feeling increases as public opinion concerns itself more and more with
the problems of security as viewed either from the point of view of a general agree
ment or from the point of-view of particular treaties. We must meet these hopes
and anxieties with positive results, for any disappointment—I venture to repeat the
words of M. Paul-Boncour—will be as great as the hope which public opinion has
placed in this first step towards peace.
M. van TBOOSTWIJK (Netherlands) (translation) : The Government of the
Netherlands considers itself happy in being able to co-operate in the work which this
conference is to undertake, and which is intimately connected with the general
tendenc}^ towards consolidating world peace by means of agreements in connectiou
with armaments. Our delegation is fully aware that this conference, which is called
upon to devise and decide upon a text which will form a new point of departure-
a new basis for the spirit of international agreement which has been manifested so
happily on many occasions during the last few years, under the auspices of the
League of Nations—cannot congratulate itself too much on being able to take
advantage of the results of the careful work which the competence of our
predecessors in this connection, and particularly that of the Temporary Mixed
Commission, has handed over to us. In paying this tribute to the efforts which have
already been accomplished, I wish particularly to draw attention to one side of the
question with which we have to deal and which has never escaped the attention of
any one who had studied the matter carefully; that is, the inequality which might
arise between the countries which produce arms and countries which produce no
arms, or produce but few. It will not be necessary for me to go into details in this
connection as so many who took part in the discussion yesterday and to-day have
already given our views on this question. Moreover our work is connected with one
of the principles enunciated by the covenant, that is to say, in article 8 , paragraph 5.
which deals with the private manufacture of arms, munitions and implements of
war with which we are at present concerned to supervise exportation or importation
or consignments during transit. Now when the article I have just quoted was drawn
up, the importance of another similar question was faced, and it was considered that
it would be necessary to take into account the special interests of the nations who
are not able to produce the war material necessary for their security. The discussion
of the articles of the draft upon which our delegations are to proceed will doubtless
give us an opportunity of seeking such means as are suitable to avoid the objections
which might arise out of inequality from the point of view of the material position
of countries and thus also avoid the possibility of such a situation becoming ;1
stimulant which will cause the extension of national manufacture, a result vhien
would be entirely out of keeping with the spirit in which public opinion in ma ]1 ,'
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