LEAGUE COUNCIL.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19178, 8 December 1927, Page 9

LEAGUE COUNCIL.

PUBLIC SITTING HELD.

QUESTION OF POLAND AND

LITHUANIA.

(b* cash—mass association—copimoht.) (AVSTBAUAH AJID Jrx CABLX ASSOCIATIOS.)

(Received December 7th, 8.20 p.m.)

LONDON, December 7,

The correspondent of the Australian Press Association at Geneva reports that the Council held a brief and uninteresting public sitting yesterday morning, business being confined to the reception of reports. After this, interest centred in attempts by the "Big Five," Sir Austen Chamberlain, M. Briand, Signor Scialoja, Dr. Stresemann, and Count Adachi, to straighten out tho trouble between Poland and Lithuania.

Before coming into ppen Council upon Lithuania'B complaint, the "Big Five" held a lengthy sitting at M. Briand's hotel. Legal authorities were in attendance. At the conclusion, Sir Austen Chamberlain bolted through a crowd of journalists into a motor-car, determined not to submit to questioning. Professor Valdemaras learned of the proceedings from Signor Scialoja. It is believed that the position is at present shaping in the direction of Lithuania declaring, contrary to what she has done hitherto, that there is no Btate of war existing with Poland, at the same time making it clear that she does not renounce her claim to Vilna. The Council has recommended tho parties to resume normal relations, as it will then be possible to agree to take official note of Lithuania's protest against tho occupation of Vilna. Dr. Collin (Holland) read the report of the International Conference on the Abolition of Import and Export Restrictions. The Council decided to give an opportunity to the SoViet, Mexico, and other States not members of the League to adhere to the convention, which Dr. Collin said was signed at present by nineteen States. He added that tho convention will become effective in 1929, and should result in an immediate improvement in trade conditions.

LITVINOFF OPTIMISTIC.

(Australian and k.z. cablb association.)

GENEVA, December 6,

"The visit was quite satisfactory, and ended |ust as 1 expected. I have seen the Polish delegate, M. Zaliski, and the Lithuanian, Professor Valdemaras, and I am now sure they will avert war. It was the right step for me to come. I hope to see Sir Austen Chamberlain when I revisit Geneva in Februarv and March for the disarmament meeting." The above statement was made by M. Litvinoff on departing for home from Geneva.