AT LUGANO

Evening Star, Issue 20051, 17 December 1928, Page 5

AT LUGANO

THE LEAGUE COUNCIL AH ANGRY SCENE Press Association— By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, December 15. At Lugano there was an unprecedented angry scene at the Anal meeting of the League Council during a discussion on the protection of minorities in Upper Silesia. Count Adatchi, rapporteur, read a petition from the Deutsche Vclksbund complaining of the Polish . authorities’ treatment of German school children, whereupon M. Galeski, Polish Foreign Minister, jumped up and retorted, violently attacking the German minorities. He declared that the Volksbnnd was an organisation of spies, whose interference frequently prevented a settlement. If prmitted to continue the Volksbnnd would not only prevent consolidation but Avould menace Eurpean peace. Dr Streseman listened, palo with anger, hut immediately M. Galeski ceased he heatedly replied, shouting at the top of his voice and punctuating his rcinraks by thumping the table. He characterised M. Galcski’s speech as proof of his enmity of minorities. It was scandalous that a member of the League Council, which was entrusted with the nrotection of minorities, should speak so vigorously. Ho denied M. Galeski’s allegations, and demanded that the whole question should ho reviewed next session, M. Briand said ho hoped that the dispute would not _ inflame public opinion, and ho promised a discussion at the nest council meeting.—Australian Press Association. DR STRESEMANN’S REMARK. CONSTRUED AS A THREAT. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, December 15. Daring the altercation with M. Galeski, Dr Stresemann make a remark which many journalists construe into a threat that Germany might leave the League. Dr Stresemann later told a reporter that he had not been as definite as that, but he told the council plainly that if the League did not defend the rights of minorities certain nations, including Germany, would consider whether it was to their interests to remain in the League. ■ The exact passage which created the impression that Germany intended to withdraw from the League arose during Dr Stresemann’s reply to M. Galeski’s attack on Germans in Upper Silesia. “Do you want to undertake a polemic against Germany ? Do you want by your speech to reopen old wounds? Tf the League ceases to occupy itself with the rights of minorities it will lose one of the reasons for its existence, and it will no longer represent, so far as certain States are concerned, the ideal which induced them to enter the League.” M. Briand was good-humoured when ho left the final sitting. Jokingly he said: “There was a clap of thunder which the council’s usual composure and hid the sun for a moment, but the sun reappeared and everybody is now calmer and more composed . ’ ’—Australian Press Association.