The Disarmament Committee of the League of Nations has had
an awkward question before it with regard to the use of the British Fleet under Article XVI. of the Covenant. Apparently, the intention is that when aggression has to be met the British Fleet shall be put unreservedly at the service of the League. It is argued that this is logically required by Articles X. and XVI.. It is surprising that such an important proposal as Lord Parmoor-is said to have made should have been intro- duced in a semi-official conversation instead of being introduced publicly at a Committee meeting. The dangers are almost too obvious to need recounting. Suppose, for instance,-that the British Fleet were used in operations where American interests were concerned. That would be especially awkward as America is not a member of the League. Or suppose that the Dominions disagreed with the policy of the League -and were not consulted. Rapid action would generally exclude any possibility of getting a deliberated Imperial opinion. We take it, however, that any military or naval action would have to' be ratified by the members of the Par- liaments concerned. Mr. MacDonald, as a champion of democratic. control .of foreign. affairs, could not possibly refuse a reference to Parliament. So the British Fleet would not, after all, be " unreservedly " at the disposal of the League. * *
Previous page
