LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 November 1920, Page 1

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

UOKHtUiN 4 AMbC.A-E.o~]

, AN AMERICAN NOTE. WASHINGTON, Nov. 26. The United States Government, in a Note to Britain (fated 20tli November, snvs: “America does not propose to be* excluded from participation m the rights and privileges secured under the mtiriclates,' and provided for in the Treaties of Peace. Furthermore, it expects to be heard regarding the terms of the mandates.” , In the Note a specific question cussed, viz., the Mesopotamian petroleum fields. The United States takes issue with what is described as ‘‘the British position that the mandates, agreements, and treaties are to be considered only by tfie States which are members of the Teague of Nations. The United States, as a participant in the war, and as a contributor to its successful conclusion,. says it cannot consider any of the associated Powers, the smallest not less than itself, being debarred from the discussion of any of the war’s consequences. It! consistently urges that it is of the' utmost importance to the future peace of the world that any alien territory transferred as a result of' the war should be administered in such a way as would assure equal treatment for the commerce and the citizens of all nations. The United States requests that a draft of the mandate for Mesopotamia and for Palestine be communicated for its consideration before their submission to the League. The Note says: “The fact cannot be ignored that'the reported resources of Mesopotamia have interested public opinion in the United States, Britain and other countries as a- potential subject of economic strife. The _ United States finds difficulty in reconciling the special arrangements set forth in - the so-called “San Remo Petroleum Agreement*.’ between' flritain and France, with the British' Government’s statement that “the petroleum resources of Mesopotamia' and "freedom of action in regard thereto, will be secured to the future Arab State as yet unorganised. The United states is at a loss to understand how to construe the provision in the San Memo agreement, that “any private petroleum company that may develop Mesopotamia fields will be tinder permanent British control.”

INTERNATIONAL COURT SCHEME. LONDON, Nov. 25. At Geneva the draft scheme for an International Court provides for the election by the Assembly and Council of Eleven* Judges, four Deputy-judges, regardless of nationality, they holding office for nine years. The Court elects its President ail'd Vice-President every three years. The Court sits at Hague yearly, opening on June loth. French and English will be the official languages..

LEAGUE AND ARMAMENTS. LONDON, Nov. 27

At 'Geneva the Commission dealing with contributions for the maintenance of the League of Nations is in a morass in regard to formulating a basis for payments. It has examined a number of propositions, including one suggesting a basis for expenditure by the various nations on armaments. This idea did not commend itself to the League. The clause offering the most hope was one based on the national revenue and the internal and external _ trade, and also population, with a proviso that the latter should not exceed that of the greatest European country. ' In order to safeguard India and China' some modification along tliis line may furnish a reasonable.and equitable standard. The main difficulty‘lies in obtaining accurate statistics, owing to want of uniformity in their preparation rendering any comparison of economic conditions more or less unsound.

DEMOCRATIC REFORM WANTED^

GENEVA, Nov. 27

Argentina is dissatisfied with the Commission’s decision not to accent amendments' to"tlie League Covenant. It is understood that Argentina will test the matter in the Assembly, by moving that the Council of the League should be ' elected each session, five niembers only to be re-eligible for e ec tion‘to the "succeeding session. Roumania and Siberia strongly* op pose tlie admission'of Bulgaria. ' The Council has decided to appoint a permanent Commission for the' examination of the annual reports of the mandatories under Article 22 of tie Covenant, consisting of five representa-noA-mandatory Powers and four representatives of the maridatoiy Po)'" ers. Lord Cecil, addressing British and American journalists, said the Assembly'thus' far" had been extraordinarily successful. It had a genuine belief in its own " vitality, which was exceedingly encouraging. A review of the present international situation was per haps"the most important of its functions. It should not be confined to legislative work like a Parliament but should indulge in discussion and criticism, which was as important as its legislative duties. Referring to the Armenian situation, Lord Cecil said he had good reason to believe that if a twenty-million dollar loan were forthconiing it would suffice to save Armenia from’ the Turkish Kemalists until the Armenians could stand alone. He believed America was the best nation to undertake such mediation,

To a question by an Australian Press Association- agent as to whether ti e League Assembly could reply to the German protest against the mandate rules, without referring the subject to the Allied arid Associated Powers, Lord Cecil said he weiuld like to see a delegate dare to stand up and argue that the Assembly would have to submit this matter to the Allies. Lord Ceoi. said he was unable to say whether the

Assembly would reply to the german protest. MONTENEGRO’S DEMANDLONDON 1 , November 27. The case of Montenegro was considered at' the. Geneva Congress of the League of Two years ago President 'ißoiiicaire and M. Bichon (French Foreign Minister) on behalf of the Allies, induced the K\ng of Monlanegro to remain in 'Paris, assuring him that when the enemy was cleared put, pie Powers would respect Montenegro’s integrity. Now Montenegro is requesting . tr.e League to admit her to membership of the League. Montenegro’s people, it seems, resent Serbian domination, a;:d have submitted to the League Assembly a long list of atrocities that have been perpetuated by the Serbs. The 'Mbniteinegrins claim the ment of tlie‘Bowers! guarapteo to preserve their national sovereignty. Foreign Minister of Montenegro wrote to the League Secretariat <n the subject ten days ago; but so t' ,r has not received any reply. ' BLOCKADE' PROPQSALS. (Received this d<ay at 8 a.m.) ' liC>NI)pN, November 26. One of the international Labour organisations made a suggestion to divide the Court of Justice into two bodies, one for general and the oilier for Labour questions. The Council d e (jd e( l that two companies, one comprising French, pritish and Spanish troops, and one company of Belgians, slipuld police Villi a during the plebiscite, provision was made for other nationalities participating,- if they desire, the cost to be borne by Poland and Lithuania.

The gixtli Comniission considered the economic blockade based on Lord Cecil’s observations, by which it was thought the. Council co.uld, in a majority of cases’institute, a blockade without resorting to the creation of the iiiore cumbrous proposal to institute an*’ international' Commission for the purpose. It was admitted' there were complicated cases where, for instance, a recalcitrant State might have a neighbour not within the league. Mr Milieu thought it was necessary to establish and codify measures to be taken by elicit state in the event of a blockade. Instead of being varied for different countries there should be some fixed line of : conduct adopted by the League. Norway supported Mr Milieu, and after discussion the Commission considered the Council should alone be responsible for the application of the blockade and declared an international commission should be' consultative' and devise the mechanism of a blockade. ’ “BIG TfTREE*’ CONFER.

LONDON, Nov. 26

Pending the arrival of Signor Sfouza, the Italian Foreign Minister at London, Mr Lloyd 'George amT'M. Leygues(French Premier) exchanged preliminary views regarding Greece and Silesia. No decisions were readied.

It is probably this Premier’s conference will invite a representative of the New Gfeok Government to come to London to discuss affairs in Greece

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