WORLD PLACE.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 March 1922, Page 4

WORLD PLACE.

LORD ROBERT CECIL’S VIEWS

LONDON, Jan. 20

At a meeting in Birmingham of the General Council of the League of Nations’ Union, Lord Robert Cecil re-

viewed its achievements and outlined its future efforts. To whatever criti- J ci.sms the League might have been ex- : posed he contended that it was an efficient instrument for promoting the peace and co-operation of the nations of the world. It was true that the greater international problems had not come within its purview, but sooner or later they would have to do so if the League was to accomplish its work. The reason was that most of those problems directly arose out of the Great War, and, therefore, had fallen to he considered by the Supreme Council. It was clear tjiat the Supreme Council would not be able to continue its activities for very much longer. There had been a very definite pronouncement by the new French Prime Minister, which apparently had been adopted with something like enthusiasm by the Chamber of Deputies, that lie regarded the activities of the Supreme Council with a considerable amount of distrust. Indeed, M. Poincaire was reported to liavte indicated that he would like a return to the old methods of diplomacy. But Lord Robert hoped that the French Premier did not mean that observation to he taken too literally, because lie was quite sure the world as it existed at present would not tolerate a reversion to diplomacy. (Cheers.) What lie thought M. Poincaire really had in mind was a dislike of the rather incoherent diplomacy by conference and an intention to hold himself free to decline to take part in such conferences unless he knew exactly where they were going to lead him, and what they wore going to do. it was said licit only in France that the conlerenee which had taken place had been fruitful, not in a better understanding between the nations, hut In increased friction. The course of history since the war showed that the League spirit was essential if there was to be any progress in real international co-opera-tion, and that this spirit could only he achieved by some definite organisation of the nations of the world on the lines laid down in the covenant. Diplomatic training, was of great importance in dealing with international affairs, and they should press that the assemblies and councils of the League should have at their back—at any rate as far as this country was concerned —the whole force and- experience of the Foreign Office and of the • trained diplomatic intellect.

Discussing disarmament, Lord Robert urged that unless we could secure some really effective general limitation of armaments it was not reasonable to hope for any permanent peace in the world. "Do not let us trust to any regulations controlling armaments,” he said. "Our experience in the last war ought to have taught ns that all such rules and regulations are quite powerless when nations are struggling for their very existence. Nor do I think limitation confined to naval strength alone will secure the peace of the world. I will go further, and, even at the. risk of being misunderstood, I will say that if all the maritime Powers were to disarm or drastically limit their armament, I am not sure that that would not increase rather than diminish the danger of war, because the naval arm is mainly defensive. There are two grave objections to the conference at Genoa. One is that it ought to he under the League, and working with the League machinery. The other is that two of the most important Powers are not prepared to take part in an unrestricted conference.” Lord Robert moved a series of resolutions on behalf of the executive, dealing with the future policy, which were adopted. One urged (lie British Government formally to state that the League was the keynote of its foreign policy, and to inform all its Representatives abroad. It was farmer contended that it- should he an avowed part of the British policy to extend the League so as to embrace in its membership the United States, Russia ami Germany. Another resolution favoured an offer of large concession by the British Government on our reparation claims and the cancelling of Allied debts conditionally upon our Allies agreeing that the amount of reparations to he paid by Germany, together with the method of payment, should be determined h.v a tribunal to lie appointed hv a majority of 1 lie League of Nations Council.