LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 December 1925, Page 2

LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

1 Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] WORLD DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE. GENEVA. December 9. . The League of Nations Council has agreed to the formation of a preparatory committee for a disarmament conic.ence. It is supposed that the United States, Germany and Russia will he invited to participate. The British reservations include the problem, of fixing the proportion of armaments in each country, and the effective value, in case of war, of a country’s peace armaments.

THE MOSUL QUESTION. HAGUE COURT’S OPINION ADOPTED. LONDON, December 9. The critical question of Mosul occupied the League of Nations Council at Geneva from three o’clock yesterday afternoon long into the night, including two secret and two open sessions. Sir A. Chamberlain took no part aiF~ a member. Imt remained in the Cfininhcr. Mr Amery and the Turkish representative, Munir Bey. were invited to tlie Council Table. Munir Bey presented arguments more suitable for the Hague Court and the President asked why did not the Hague Court request Turkey fo he represented, or to send a memorandum. Munir Rev mumbled a reply which was not heard. He proceeded to declare Turkey would never consent to leave the destinies of the disputed territnrios to arbitration. lie could only accept the Council’s decision to endorse ' the Hague findings as a recommendation, which h«> would commitnicute to his Government. Munir Bey finally appealed to the League to assume the role of mediator and conciliator, for which Turkey was still willing and anxious. The " Financial News’s” Geneva correspondent says: ” It, is understood the League’s .Mosul Committee will recommend the Council to adopt a resolution under which Britain and Turkey will he invited to ell'ect a settlement, the terms ol which should he duly submitted to the League for approval.”

i Turkey lias again served notice on the League that arbitration will not he accepted without the advance approval ol tie Angora Assembly. The ".Morning Post's” Geneva correspondent, however, thinks .Munir Bey’s concluding words convey a ray ol hope. Colour is lent to this opinion by rumours that the matter will he finally settled between Turkey and Britain. Ihe "Daily Herald’s” diplomatic correspondent goes so far as to affirm •hat a plan of settlement has already h ‘en prepared under which Turkey will relinquish her claim of .Mosul for the concession by France of Antioch and Alexanderetta, France agreeing thereto in return for the British co-operation at Locarno Conference and for British support in Syria. GENEVA. Decemlier 9. Alter jprnhmgpd deliberations, ineluding a secret sitting, the Council of the League has unanimously adopted the Hague Court's advisory opinion regarding the procedure to be followed in deciding the Mosul question, nnmeL that the Council has full powers to make decisions, including the power to arbitrate. The Turkish representatives express regret at the decision.