WORK OF LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 65, 10 December 1926, Page 11

WORK OF LEAGUE

MEMBERS MAY MAKE SECURITY AGREEMENTS PREPARATIONS FOR ARMS CONFERENCE INTERNATIONAL WAR CHEST PROPOSAL Bl TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION. Copyright (Rec. December 9, 7.55 p.m.) Geneva, December 8. The Council held a two hours’ public sitting, and adopted a resolution that member States may conclude security agreements whenever the circumstances favour such. , „ The Council also requested the Preparatory Commission to state definitely when a” disarmament conference can be held, and to draw up the agenda. Sir Austen Chamberlain reiterated that Britain was sympathetic towards the conference, but considered thorough preparation was necessary to avoid the possibility of failure. The Council referred the Finnish proposal for an international war chest, to be placed at the disposal of any nation threatened by war, to the Preparatory Commission. It also adopted a resolution requesting the States to consider measures to facilitate communication by rail, air, telegraph, and wireless in case of emergency, and to draw up lists of experts from’ whom Commissioners can be chosen promptly and sent to the spot in the event of disputes. ‘ At a private session, the Council decided to hold an Economic Conference at Geneva on May 4. Colonel 1 heulns was chosen President. 'There have been no developments regarding military control in Germany. It is stated in German circles here that a draft arbitration treaty between Germany and Italy, already drawn up. contains no secret clauses, but follows the same lines as the German treaties already negotiated. It will be duly registered with the League. MANDATES COMMISSION QUESTIONNAIRE GOVERNMENT’S REPLIES (Rec. December 9, 5.5 p.m.) Geneva, December 8. Sir Eric Drummond .Secretary-Gen-eral) lias communicated to members of the League Council and the Mandates Commission the replies _ of the Japanese, Belgian and Australian Governments with regard to. the commission’s famous questionnaire. The Australian Government’s reply says substantially that if petitioners are given the right of appearing personally, a representative of the mandatory Power must be given a similar right. The Commonwealth Government thinks that the existing practice should not be altered with regard to the questionnaire. Neither the Council nor any League organisation is competent to interfere in the actual administration. and the Commonwealth Government is unable to see in many cases how much information is likely to assist the commission in the exercise of its duties, and is consequently of opinion that it would be unwise to adopt the questionnaire in its present form. FRANCO-JUGO-SLAVIAN UNDERSTANDING ALLEGATION OF ITALIAN PAPER (Rec. December 9, 7.55 p.m.) Rome, December 8. The "Giornalc d’Halia,” alleging that France is supplying Jugo-Slavia with munitions, asserts that the League ought to concern itself with the understandings reached between Peris and Belgrade rather than with the peaceable agreement between Italy and Albania. .