Editorial Note

The Disarmament Commission met on August 20, 1953 (for the first time since April), and adopted a report which merely expressed the expectation of continuing its work. For text of the report, UN doc. DC/32, see Documents on Disarmament, 1945–1959, volume I, page 388.

The report was considered by Committee I of the General Assembly November 6–18, 1953. The committee approved a resolution on the subject of disarmament which was passed in plenary session of the Assembly on November 28 by vote of 54–0–5 (the Soviet bloc abstaining) as Resolution 715 (VIII). The resolution requested the Disarmament Commission to continue its efforts and to consider establishing a subcommittee consisting of representatives of the powers principally concerned, which would meet privately to seek a solution. For text of Resolution 715 (VIII), see ibid., pages 391–393.

For additional information on consideration of disarmament by the General Assembly at its Eighth Session, see Yearbook of the United Nations, 1953, pages 262–269; U.S. Participation in the UN 1953, pages 56–60; Documents on Disarmament, 1945–1959, volume I, pages 389–407; and Bechhoefer, Postwar Negotiations for Arms Control, pages 207–210. For additional unpublished material, see Department of State files 330.13 and 600.0012, and Disarmament files, lot 58 D 133, “Chron File—Disarmament”.