LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 47, 19 November 1920, Page 7

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

ASSEMBLY DISCUSSES WORK OF COUNCIL BASIS OF CONTRIBUTIONS By Tolegraph—Vroßs tuoci&tlon—OoDyri&M Geneva, November 17. The Assembly of the League of Nations began the discussion of tho Secre-tary-Goncral's report on the work of tho Council. The report shows that tho special Committee on Finance is of opinion that the best indices of'financial capacity were population and net revenue, in the fixing of tho contributions to the League; but left the final decision with tho Assembly. In view of the importance of allowing as much time as po-siblc to the principal Powers, tho Council decided to defer the presentation of the report on the mandates to the Assembly till the latest possible date. Senator 'Jlillen will take part in all the Commissions, and Sir .Tames Allen in thoso doaling with, tho Permanent International Court, tho League's Budget, new admissions to the League, and tho reduction of' armaments, preparation of the League's economic weapon, and the man-dates.—-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. YAST PROBLEMS~FACING LEAGUE SPEECH BY LORD ROBERT CECIL. (Eco. November 18, 8.10 p.m.) Geneva, November 17. Lord Robert Cecil, criticising tho opinion, expressed that the Leaguo was dead, said the Council's roport gave the lie to that. The Council had dona an immenso amount of valuable international work, both in organisation and political and constructive work. It was Jiocessary to get tho machinery in order .before they could come lo the vast problems confronting the League. lie was hopeful that tho year's work would be of such a nature as to appeal to tho public of tho world. Britain was anxious that there should be all posslblo economy in the Leaguo finances, but even if half-a-million a year was spent that was a small premium lo pay for the League, wlvpso object was to prevont war, when compared with the daily cost of fho late war. As tho mandates had been referred to a commission, it would bo improper to comment on them at this stage, but fie hoped flmt there would be no further delay in establishing tho mandatory systems. Ixivd Cecil apvealefl to the League to take prompt steps to relieve' Armenia. Ho urged the Council to inform the Assembly regarding the precise situation between Poland and Lithuania. Lord Cecil concluded l.y appealing to tho Assembly not to show timidity in its work. He remind.ed Ihem that he represented General Sinuts, against whom his father waged war. Ho felt specially that ho represented'tho spirit of reconciliation. Dr. Pucyrredon (Argentina) considered that all sovereign States desiring lo join should be permitted to do so. The exclusion of certain States might provoke tho establishment of another League. He urged also that the> present League might be regarded as an alliance for the liquidation of war rather than a powerful organisation to eusure peace—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn. MESSAGE FROmTrESIDKNT WILSON

VALUE OF ASSEMBLY'S LABOURS TO CIVILIHKIJ WOULD. Washington, November 17. President Wilson has sent a message to M. Hymans, President of the League of Nations Assembly, expressing the hope and confidence Hint Hie Assembly's labours will be of immense value to the whole of the civilised world. The message was replied to by a cablegram by M. Hymans on behalf of the League, wishing President "Wilson a. speedy recovery, and stating that the Assembly recognised that he had done more than any other man to lay the foundations of the League.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ENTRANCE OF UNITED STATES WOMEN TO IMPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON MR. HARDING. New York, November 17, Mrs. Gilt, ono «{ the suffragettes instrumental in the success of the women's movement in the United States, has reciue'ted every woman who voted for Sir. Harding to send him a letter urging that the United States should enter the LflnTie of Nations—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. CHIEF PERSIAN DELEGATE ATTACKED Z7 ROBBERS. (Rec. November 18, 8.40. p.m.) Geneva, November 17. The Council received a telegram stating that robbers attacked Prince Arfnd, the chief Persian delegate to the League of Nations, while journeying from Persia to Geneva.' Prince-Arfnd's secretary was killed. The Prince resumed his journey. —Aus.-N.Z. Cn'Wo Assn.