THE LEAGUE.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17109, 2 April 1921, Page 9

THE LEAGUE.

AUSTRALIAN CRITICISM

REPLY BY LORD ROBERT .CECIL,

fßv Cable—Press Association— Coprright) (Australian and X.Z. Cibl; Association.) (Roccivocl A-n-il Ist. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. March 31.

Lord Robert Cecil, interviewed by the Australian Press Association, said he was surprised-to read the Hon. E. I). Milieu's expression of disappointment and depression over the Congress of the League cf Nations at Geneva. On the contrary, the success of the Congress has encouraged the majority of the delegates. Possibly Mr Millen's disappointment arose through an expectation of something differing from what the Coven-nt contemplated. Apparently Mr AUllcn thouoht that the League of Nations, if it were effective, on edit to, have ra'sod 50,030 troops to protect Armenia, while Mr Hushes complained of its failure to assist Poland, indicating that both hoped for a League forming a superState commanding troops and able to forcibly impose, its will on rconkitrant nations. Such an organisation would possibly bo advantageous, but ' t.ie Covenant of tho Lcrpjnc did not contemplate anything of the kind. Tho League's only aim was to_ render war less probable,, ' contemplating coercion solely in the event of a member pluuginn- into war without allowing th? Council "of the League, or an International Court to investigate the casus belli. Otherwise the independence and sovereignty of members of tho League was cntirclv untouched. At the Geneva meeting the chief stie?ess arose from tho encouragement of international co-operation and free, open discussion of world problems threateninc the maintenance of peace. Undoubtedly, tho Conference did a great deal to assuage the bitterness the war created, particularly among the small Powers of Central and Eastern.. Europe, through freedom of intercourse and the removal of misunderstandings. Moreover, tho foundations had been laid of international co-operation relating to health and transit, and the establishment of an International Courtof Justice.

"I notice," continued Lord Robert Cecil, "that tho Australian statesmen emphatically 'repudiate the idea of admitting Germany to the Lec-jnie. Possibly Australia- docs not realise the urgent need for the pacification of Europe as do those residing therein. Nevertheless, I am convinced that real peace is the most urgent- need of, the present day,' and it. is not obtainable without -whole-hearted , acceptance _of the League, tho ■ efficiency # of which directly depends on tho inclusion of the world's great nations. Germany's inclusion at Present maybe impossible. If so, this is a jjreat misfortune., wh'ch, in my judgment, every patriotic Britisher ought" to do his utmost to remove at the earliest possible moment." [The Hon.. E. D. Millen, who represented Australia at the League of Nations Congress at Geneva, entertained by tho National Club on • his return from London, 13aid the British Empire was the best League of Nations in the world. He left Geneva with a feeling of disappointment. He 'found all sides in readiness to make sacri. l :**-;, provided the other fellow made sacrifices. There was an entire absence of ''. the spirit that each should make sacrifices for the common good, without which the League of Nations was a, myth. Mr Hughes said he did everything in his power to make the Lennrue effective, but other. countries did not appreciate Australia's ideals. Although he hoped ; in the future, that the League would convert swords . into ploughshares, at present it was impo-tent,-as-'was instanced by the recent plight of Poland, when not one,, sword was sheathed. What chance had Australia, twelve thousand miles away?.Ho urged that a sure and certain protection was the League of the British Empire.]

ATTITUDE OF AMERICA.,

FRENCH MISSION .TO WASHING-TON.

WASHINGTON, March 31

M. Viviani had a lengthy conference with Mr Charles Hughes, Secretary "ofState, and was received formally by President Harding, who will tender him a dinner on Aprd sth. It is believed that France does not ■ want the United States to- make a separate peace with Germany, fearing jt will encourage the Germans to refuse to pay tho reparation bill, and result in the withdrawal of the American troops from the Rhine; It is bfelieved that France .will do anything that will permit the United States to modify the Covenant of the League of Nations in- any way . the United States desire' 3, but hopes tho new Association will be built within the framework of tho present League. It is understood that M. Viviani feels that the withdrawal of American support of the Allies would result in the .Collapse of Europe economically, and further the cause of Bolshevism.

It is thought, that Senator Knox'-* peace resolution w'ill be brought.up at the special session of the Senate, "but it will be attached to a. declaration informing Germany that America still supports the Allies in the carrying out of the Treaty of Versailles. .'