Documents of the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference

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Documents of the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference

On 25 September 1925 the Sixth Assembly of the League of Nations approved a proposal to initiate preparatory work for a general and all-inclusive World Disarmament Conference. On 12 December 1925 the Council of the League of Nations therefore created a Preparatory Commission consisting of the ten states on the Council, six other European countries (Bulgaria, Finland, Netherlands, Poland, Roumania, and Yugoslavia), and three key non-League members: Germany, the Soviet Union and the US. Argentina, Chile, Greece and Turkey were subsequently invited to join the Commission in 1926-28.

The Commission held six sessions, two in 1926, two in 1927, one in 1928, and the sixth which ran from 15 April - 6 May 1929, when it was suspended to allow the major naval powers to resolve their differences (which did not occur until LNC30). The sixth session resumed on 6 November 1930. The Preparatory Disarmament Commission finally adopted a draft Disarmament Convention for submission to the General Conference on 9 December 1930, ending five years of work.

League of Nations Documents

SeriesTitleDistribution No.Sales No.
Series IDocuments concerning the constitution of the Preparatory Commission (Second session of the Committee of the Council)C.9.M.5.1926.IX (C.P.D.1.)
Series IIFirst Session of the Preparatory CommissionC.425.M.158.1926.IX (C.P.D. 1(a)(1).)1926.IX.7
Series IIISecond Session of the Preparatory Commission; Fourth and Fifth Sessions of the Committee of the CouncilC.740.M.279.1926.IX (C.P.D. 1(b).)1927.IX.2
Series IVThird Session of the Preparatory CommissionC.310.M.109.1927.IX (C.P.D. 1(c).)1927.IX.5
Series V, pp.1-34Fourth Session of the Preparatory CommissionC.667.M.225.1927.IX (C.P.D. 1(d).)1928.IX.2
Series VI, pp.227-356Fifth Session of the Preparatory CommissionC.165.M.50.1928.IX (C.P.D. 1(e).)1928.IX.6
Series VIIISixth Session of the Preparatory Commission (First Part)C.195.M.74.1929.IX (C.P.D. 1(g).)1929.IX.3
Series IXDocuments of the Preparatory Commission - Series IX - Minutes of the Fourth Session of the Committee on Arbitration and SecurityC.357.M.149.1930.IX. (C.P.D. 1(h).)
Series XSixth Session of the Preparatory Commission (Second Part).C.4.M.4.1931.IX (C.P.D. 1(1).)1931.IX.1
Series XIIndex containing a Detailed Analysis of the Documents of the Preparatory Commission of the Disarmament Conference and its Sub-Commissions with the exception of the Documents of the Committee on Arbitration and Security. Part II. Index or Brief Analysis of the Documents of the Committee on Arbitration and SecurityC.428.M.178.1931.IX (C.P.D. 1(j).) (C.A.S. 117.)
Report of Sub-Commission A (Military, Naval and Air)C.739.M.278.1926.IX (C.P.D. 28)1926.IX.16
Report of Sub-Commission BC.P.D. 29 (C.P.D./C. “B”/12.)1926.IX.15
Report of the Committee of Experts on Budgetary QuestionsC.182.M.69.1931.IX. (C.P.D. 298.) (C.P.D./D.Q.B. 155 (2).)1931.IX.3
Draft ConventionC.687.M.288.1930.IX (C.P.D.292(2).)1930.IX.8

House of Commons Command Papers

PaperTitleYear
Cmd 2888Conference. Third Session. Geneva, March 21 to April 26, 1927. Report of the British Representative to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs1927
Cmd 3211Papers regarding the Limitation of Naval Armaments1928
Cmd 3757Report of the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference and the Draft Disarmament Convention1931

UK Cabinet Documents

Document NumberTitleDateTNA Ref
P.R.A.(27) 23Proposed Instructions for British Delegate at Preparatory Commssion on Disarmament. Memorandum by the First Lord of the Admiralty11 Feb 1928ADM 116/2578
P.R.A.(27) 49Soviet Disarmament Proposals. Memo by the First Lord of the Admiralty7 May 1928CAB 53/16/3
P.R.A.(27) 50 ReviseBritish Policy on the Preparatory Commission for Disarmament. Memorandum by the First Lord of the Admiralty11 May 1928ADM 116/2578
P.R.A.(27) 58Committee on Policy. Note by the Secretary26 Jun 1928ADM 116/2578
P.R.A.(27) 63Cabinet Committee on Policy. Note by the First Lord of the Admiralty19 Jul 1928ADM 116/2578
P.R.A.(27) 76Disarmament. Memorandum by the President of the Board of Education12 Oct 1928ADM 116/2580
P.R.A.(27) 78Copies of telegrams between the Foreign Office and the British Embassy, Washingtonn.d. (late Oct 1928)ADM 116/2580
P.R.A.(27) 79Committee on Policy. Note by the Joint Secretary1 Nov 1928ADM 116/2580
P.R.A.(27) 80Committee on Policy. Note by the Joint Secretary1 Nov 1928ADM 116/2580
P.R.A.(27) 84French Proposals in Regard to the Transfer of Tonnage. Memorandum prepared in the Admiralty8 Nov 1928ADM 116/2580
P.R.A.(27) 85A Draft for Reply to American Note. Memorandum by Lord Eustace Percy8 Nov 1928ADM 116/2580
P.R.A.(27) 86A Draft for Reply to American Note. (Second Draft)14 Nov 1928ADM 116/2580
P.R.A.(27) 89Limitation of Naval Armaments. Draft Reply to Italian Government. Prepared by the Foreign Office21 Nov 1928ADM 116/2580
P.R.A.(27) 90Limitation of Naval Armaments. Draft Reply to Japanese Government. Prepared by the Foreign Office21 Nov 1928ADM 116/2580
C.P. 177(26)Draft Instructions to Viscount Cecil for his Guidance in attending the Meeting of the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference to be held at Geneva on May 18, 1926.1 Apr 1926CAB 24/179/78
C.P. 225(26)Reduction and Limitation of Armaments5 Jun 1926CAB/24/180
C.P. 59(27)Further Limitation of Naval Armaments - Proposals of the United States10 Feb 1927CAB/24/185
C.P. 78(27)Reduction and Limitation of Armaments7 Mar 1927CAB/24/185
C.P. 44(28)Reduction and Limitation of Armaments. Committee on Policy. Second Report14 Feb 1928CAB/24/192
C.P. 79(28)Reduction and Limitation of Armaments12 Mar 1928CAB/24/193
C.P. 81(28)The Forthcoming Meeting of the League of Nations Preparatory Commission10 Mar 1928CAB/24/193
C.P. 183(28)Memorandum by Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on Disarmaament9 Jun 1928CAB/24/195
C.P. 184(28)Memorandum by Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on Disarmaament9 Jun 1928CAB/24/195
C.P. 189(28)Disarmament. Memorandum by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster16 Jun 1928CAB/24/195
C.P. 190(28)British Policy on the Preparatory Commission for Disarmament - Memorandum by the First Lord of the Admiralty11 May 1928CAB/24/195
C.P. 191(28)British Policy on the Preparatory Commission for Disarmament - Memorandum by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster16 May 1928CAB/24/195
C.P. 192(28)Disarmament. Proceedings at Geneva18 Jun 1928CAB/24/195
C.P. 193(28)Disarmament. Memorandum by the Lord Privy Seal18 Jun 1928CAB/24/195
C.P. 195(28)The Re-Organisation of the French Army19 Jun 1928CAB/24/195
C.P. 203(28)Reduction and Limitation of Armaments26 Jun 1928CAB/24/196
C.P. 295(28)Draft Circular Despatch to His Majesty's Representatives in the Capitals of all Countries represented on the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference.9 Oct 1928CAB 24/197/44
C.P. 91(29)Reduction and Limitation of Armaments. Committee on Policy. Policy in regard to the next Meeting of the Preparatory Commission22 Mar 1929CAB 24/202/41
C.P. 96(29)Reduction and Limitation of Armaments. Policy in regard to the next Meeting of the Preparatory Commission22 Mar 1929CAB/24/202
C.P. 107(29)Naval Limitation5 Apr 1929CAB/24/203
C.P. 120(29)Reduction and Limitation of Armametns. Naval Limitation. Draft of Instructions to Lord Cushenden23 Apr 1929CAB/24/203
C.P. 122(29)Reduction and Limitation of Armaments. Naval Limitation. Statement by the Hon. Hugh Gibson, on Behalf of the United States of America, at meeting of preparatory commission on disarmament at Geneva on April 22nd, 192922 Apr 1929CAB/24/203
C.P. 123(29)Reduction and Limitation of Armaments. Naval Limitation. Reply of Lord Cushendun to Statement by the Hon. Hugh Gibson…22 Apr 1929CAB/24/203
C.P. 180(29)Naval Limitation and Disarmament25 Jun 1929CAB/24/204
C.P. 336(30)Draft Disarmament Convention. Budgetary Limitation and Horse-Power Limitation for Aircraft.13 Oct 1930CAB 24/215
CID 889-BThe Re-Organization of the French Army. Memorandum by the Secretary of State for War18 Jun 1928ADM 116/2578

The National Archives (UK) Files

FileTitleDate
ADM 1/8724/56Position re naval disarmament at the close of the meeting of the Preparatory Commission for Disarmament held at Geneva, March 241928
ADM 116/2272League of Nations - Reduction of Armaments Preparatory Commission1924-26
ADM 116/2578League of Nations - Limitation of Naval Armament1927-28
ADM 116/2579League of Nations - Limitation of Naval Armament1928
ADM 116/2580League of Nations - Limitation of Naval Armament1928-29
ADM 116/2665Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference1928-31
CAB 53/16/3Chiefs of Staff Memoranda - Memoranda COS 1541928
GFM 33/3325/9126/1Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference in Geneva: General Material 1925-19331925-26
GFM 33/3325/9126/2Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference in Geneva: General Material 1925-19331926
GFM 33/3326/9126/3Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference in Geneva: General Material 1925-19331926
GFM 33/3326/9126/4Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference in Geneva: General Material 1925-19331926
GFM 33/3327/9126/5Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference in Geneva: General Material 1925-19331926
GFM 33/3327/9126/6Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference in Geneva: General Material 1925-19331926-27
GFM 33/3328/9126/7Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference in Geneva: General Material 1925-19331927
GFM 33/3328/9126/8Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference in Geneva: General Material 1925-19331927-28
GFM 33/3329/9126/10Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference in Geneva: General Material 1925-19331928-31
GFM 33/3329/9126/9Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference in Geneva: General Material 1925-19331928
GFM 33/3330/9126/11Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference in Geneva: General Material 1925-19331931-33
GFM 33/3966/K1787Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference in Geneva 1932: Organisation of work, etc1926
GFM 33/3966/K1788Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference in Geneva 1932: Material in general1929
GFM 33/4402/L316Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference in Geneva: CPD/CM 'Commission Mixte'1926-27
GFM 33/4420/L365Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference in Geneva (Organisation and Business, general; delegations)1927-33
WO 188/211League of Nations Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference: chemical warfare1926-30
WO 32/4085Report by Committee on experts on Budgeting Questions to the Preparatory Commission on Disarmament1931-32
YHL/PO/JO/10/10/963/2340Miscellaneous (1931): No. 3. League of Nations - Despatch from Viscount Cecil of Chelwood, enclosing the Report of the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference and the Drat Disarmament Convention.1931
YHL/PO/JO/10/10/977/3636Miscellaneous 1930 – No 17. Memorandum on Chemical Warfare presented to the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference by the Delegation of the United Kingdom. Geneva 18 Nov 19301930
YLG/G/4/1/14Cecil, British Delegation, Geneva, to (Arthur Henderson), No. 143, 10 Dec 1930. The work of the preparatory commission for the disarmament conference.1930

National Archives of Australia Files

BarcodeSeries NoControl symbolTitleDate
161685A664522/401/6League of Nations Documents: Disarmament Conference1925-26
161686A664522/401/13Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference1925-26
161687A664522/401/14Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference: Debate on Proceedings House of Lords1926
161691A664522/401/34Draft Treaty for Limitation of Naval Military and Air Armaments1927
161694A664522/401/46League of Nations - Limitation of Armaments: Draft treaty by French representative1927
161695A664522/401/63League of Nations Preparatory Commission on Disarmament: Report of Third Session.1927
161696A664522/401/64Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference: Meeting at Geneva 1927
161699A664522/401/98APreparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference1926
177917A981LEAGUE DIS 1 PART 1League of Nations. Disarmament. Preparatory Committee for Disarmament Conference1924-27
177918A981LEAGUE DIS 1 PART 2League of Nations. Disarmament. Preparatory Committee of League of Nations for Disarmament Conference.1932
177919A981LEAGUE DIS 1 PART 3League of Nations. Disarmament. Preparatory Committee of League of Nations for Disarmament Conf.1926
177920A981LEAGUE DIS 1 PART 4Disarmament - Preparatory Committee of League of Nations for Disarmament Conference Part IV1927-28
177921A981LEAGUE DIS 1 PART 5Disarmament - Preparatory Commission of League of Nations1927-30
177922A981LEAGUE DIS 1 PART 6League of Nations. Disarmament Preparatory Commission VI.1930-31
177923A981LEAGUE DIS 2League of Nations. Disarmament - Preparatory Commission for Disarmament - Official Papers1926-31
177924A981LEAGUE DIS 3 PART 1League of Nations. Disarmament - Security Committee of Preparatory Commission for Disarmament Conference. Appointment of Committee and proceedings to Dec. 1927, including 1st Session (Dec. 1927) Part I1927
177925A981LEAGUE DIS 3 PART 2League of Nations. Disarmament - Security Committee of Preparatory Commission for Disarmament Conference Part II. Preparation for and Proceedings of Second Session of Committee - Feb. 20 to March 7 1928.1927-32
177926A981LEAGUE DIS 3 PART 3League of Nations. Disarmament - Security Committee of Preparatory Commission for Disarmament Conference 1932. Preparation for and Proceedings of Third Session of Committee - June 27th to July 4th, 1928. Part III1928
177927A981LEAGUE DIS 3 PART 4League of Nations. Disarmament - Security Committee of Preparatory Commission for Disarmament Conference 1932 Part IV . Preparations for and proceedings of Fourth Session of Committee, 4th July - 20th Sept. 19281928
177928A981LEAGUE DIS 3 PART 5League of Nations. Disarmament - Security Committee of Preparatory Commission for Disarmament Conference Part V1930-31
239742A5954938/1Work of the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference. Report of the Third Committee to the Assembly1928
445190MP981/1522/201/15Disarmament Conference - Documents of the Preparatory Commission1927-29
652380A5954938/2Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference. Committee on Arbitration and Security1928
652383A5954938/5Documents of the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference Series 11925
652384A5954938/6Documents of the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference Series 21926
652385A5954938/7Documents of the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference Series 31927
652386A5954938/8Documents of the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference Series 41927
652387A5954938/9Documents of the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference Series 51928
652388A5954938/10Documents of the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference Series 61928
652389A5954938/11Documents of the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference Series 71928
652517A5954939/2League of Nations. Documents of the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference Entrusted with the preparation for the Conference for the Reduction and Limitation of Armaments Series 8 Minutes of the Sixth Session ---- [abbr. title]1929
652518A5954939/3League of Nations. Documents of the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference Entrusted with the preparation for the Conference for the Reduction and Limitation of Armaments Series 91930
652519A5954939/4League of Nations. Documents of the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference Entrusted with the preparation for the Conference for the Reduction and Limitation of Armaments Series 10 Minutes of the sixth session -----[abbr. title]1931
652520A5954939/5League of Nations. Documents of the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference Entrusted with the preparation for the Conference for the Reduction and Limitation of Armaments Series XXI1931
652521A5954939/6Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference - Report of Session Nov.- Dec. 1930. (9th Dec. 1930 - C 690.M.289)1930
652522A5954939/7League of Nations. Despatch from Viscount CECIL of Chelwood enclosing the report of the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference ------- [abbr. title]1931
652523A5954939/8League of Nations. Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference. Draft Convention1930
667337A59542033/3League of Nations. Documents of the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Commission. Entrusted with the Preparation for the conference for the Reduction and Limitation of Armaments. Series 8.1929
667338A59542033/4League of Nations. Documents of the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Commission. Entrusted with the Preparation for the conference for the Reduction and Limitation of Armaments. Series XXI1929
699326A59541342/3League of Nations. Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference. Report by the Committee of Experts on Budgetary Questions1931
733574A59542378/8League of Nations. Preparatory Commission for Disarmament Conference1926

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