LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 October 1922, Page 3

LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION t TJ-I E MANDATES. /Received this (lav lit 11.. Mil a.in.) LONDON, Oct. 2. .Justice. Rich, returning from Geneva, says tlic Mandates’ Commission has not thoroughly grasped the conditions under which Australia and New Zealand are administering l“ie islands. Received this dnv at 12.25 p.in.) . LONDON. Oct 2. j Justice Rich is most optimistic regarding the.future of the League of Nations, which he confessed he at first regarded as an unaccomplishable ideal, hut recently the sittings had much solid achievement placed to their credit, such as the advance towards disarmament and admission of Hungary, because the more countries admitted the hotter lor the League. The assistance given Austria, and lastly the indication how the League intended to intervene where possible in international disputes, and in connection with the action they took in the present Turkish trouble. Justice Rich paid a warm tribute to the enthusiasm and sincerity of Lord Cecil, which combined with his complete legal training set him among the most prominent figures of the Conference. Ho was also impressed with the grasp of public, diplomatic and political subjects shown by Ranjishinjhi. •Justice Rich, in his interview, said Germany should certainly he admitted to the League. Then if America joined, the League would have sufficient moral influence without armed force to sit heavily on the head of any nation kicking over the traces. As judicial questions frequently cropped up he recommended that legal advisors should accompany future Australian delegations. Sir '.J. Cook, interviewed, said he was of opinion the League was already proving itself increasingly valuable. Though it wn.s 'formed ostensibly to maintain a peace already made at Versailles, it had had to devote itsell actually to making a peace where none exislted. The League had won its spurs already by the intervention in Cppcr Silesia, lie believed the recent assembly had been well worth while, if. only for the steps take n for the rehabilitation of Austria. Without the Leinrue, the various powers would have” haggled for an opportunity of helping Austria financially. hut. as the payment therefore, would practically take control, which would have tended to international discord, ami possibly war. The League could hardly take over tlni Near East situation at the present juncture. No peace had been made with Turkey for the League maintained, that there could not bo two sets negotiating and operating simultaneously He hoped eventually the contending nations would accept the British view and favour the handing over oentrol of the Straits to the League.