THE LEAGUE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 13 September 1924, Page 5

THE LEAGUE

INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES.

COURT OF ARBITRATION. 3Y CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT, GENEVA, Sept. 11. A committee of the. League of Nations has commenced consideration of the constitutional and legal aspect of the articles of the covenant relating to international disputes and a Court or Arbitration.

Cecil Hurst, outlining the British difficulties, wanted a more precise definition in the event of the League callmg up the forces of all Powers for enforcing arbitration. This would necessitate the British Fleet patrolling the seas, protecting neutrals, extending th© League’s force on the ocean highways and preventing trade with the enemy. The fleet would almost certainly thereby come into conflict with o>the,r nations. Britain wanted the covenant defined clearly to provide that if, having accepted the compulsory arbitration clause, her fleet, at- the "League’s command, undertook certain action, would not later be called to court because the action violated some Powers’ rights. The clause must be defined to prevent Britain while protecting an attacked country from becoming herself the aggressor.

M. Loucheur (France) hoped for fewer neutrals and fewer wars. Though Britain was once regarded as a tyrant of the seas the war years had shown what a good tyrant the fleet was. The British and Dominion delegates conferred, and agreed to the general trend of Mr Hurst’s speech.

HUMANITARIAN QUESTIONS

GENEVA, Sept. 11

An important proposition is pending before the Fifth Committee of the League of Nations dealing with humanitarian questions. Dp Nansen intimated that lie desires to place in the League countries two hundred thousand workless Armenians. Australasia . will be invited to take a proportion. The opium traffic is providing a difficult problem. It is alleged some factions in China are encouraging its growth, and are devoting the proceeds to the upkeep of the army.