LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1926, Page 2

LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

(Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.]

Al. BRIAND’S PROTEST

PARIS, Alarcli 2,

At the resumption of the Debate on the Locarno Agreements, when replying to Air Franklin Bomillion, AT. Briand, Premier, said lie favoured the enlargement of the Council of the League of Nations, for if the League Council remained as it was now, then important matters might he submitted for the approval of four or five nations, which are somewhat distant from Europe. He favoured the ptoposa! to grant. Poland a .scat in the Council, and he would favour it even if he saw the matter through German eyes. The League was the embodiment of conciliation. The best proof of ih : s was the fact that all its ‘decisions must lie unanimous. There certain v would he difficulties between Germ,my and Poland, but- the best thing to do was to meet and to discuss matters with other people who approved of ten • ciliation.

Af. Briand protested against the insinuation Hint France had raised Hi’s question with the object of eludmg the moral engagements which she had entered into at Locarno.

In regard to Germany, and of taking precautions against. Germany, he said ' 'We may not enter into engagemeats with Germany or anyone else. It is iiidispeiisible that the Council should he entirely free in its decisions. Nations desiring permanent seats on t.ho Council took advantage of tin? occasion offered them in connection with the admission of Germany. Tt is their right. Nobody could oppose, it. The polemics indulged in on this occasion are not calculated to enable the League to discuss matters with perfect freedom.’’

COAIAfISSTON TO REPORT. LONDON. Alarcli 2 It is officially reported from Berlin that Sir Austen Chamberlain lias pro-pos-id that the claims for Coun.-i' seats apart from Germany’s shall he submitted to a Commission to report in Sep to in her. Tho “Daily Telegraph” says: “Unlike the Locarno Treaty, the Dominions could not contract out of an alteration in the character of the Council. unless they cut themselves off front the League altogether. Aloreovrr. there would be an unanswerable claim for their increased representation in the event of the question of the constitution of the Council being re-open-ed. This is hut one aspect of a manysided question.”

CO.MPROAII S'E, C(JNFIIIMED. LONDON, Eeh. 2. The .Morning Post’s Geneva correspondent confirms the- 'suggestion thatthere will he a, compromise. He says that an endeavour will he made to xierstnule Dr St.re.seniann and Dr Luther to agree to give Poland a temporary scat until the. September meeting. In the meantime, Spain is willing to withdraw temporarily, thereby checkmating Brazil’s campaign. FREE HAND FOR FOREIGN SECRETARY. LONDON. Alarcli I.

His Majesty the King has had a conference with Sir Austen Chambcralin. It is expected that Air Baldwin will make a statement in the Huu.se of Commons this afternoon, alter a Cabinet meeting The iindentions are that Sir Austen Chamberlain will go to Geneva with a free hand. FRANCE’S PRICE. LONDON, March 3. The Daily Herald’s diplomatic, correspondent prophesies that if France agrees to the abandonment of Poland's claim, it will be a consideration in connection with Franco’s war debt to Britain. CANADIAN ATTITUDE. OTTAWA, March 2.

In reply to a question in the House of Commons as to the attitude of the Government in regard to the admission of Germany to the League of Nations, and also as to the granting of permanent seats on the Council to other countries, the Acting Government Leader, Air I.a Pointe, replied that ho thought the general opinion favoured the admission of Germany and the giving to her of a seat on the Council. In regard to the admission of Spain and Brazil he said he did not think that it was appropriate for the Government to announce its attitude until a formal application for such seats had been made. THE GERMAN STAND. BERLIN, .March 2. I)r Luther, in a speech in the J 3 a nihil t'g Senate said that it was unimaginable that anyone would at the last moment risk destroying the great achievements of last year’s policy as all the prospects which Germany’s collaboration in the League opened, hv opposing Germany’s standpoint on tl<? question of permanent seats on the Council. He explained that Germany took for granted that no important changes would he matte in the constitution of the Council before Germany’s entry. Germany did not stand alone in her views. This strengthened the hopo that Germany’s standpoint would find general approval. Dr Luther added that since the negotiations of Locarno began, it had been seen wlmt was nchieveabie by treating political questions with frankness am! good faith. The nations wo re entitled to expect that this promising method would !>e further pursued.

GEBATANV TO PREVAIL. LONDON, March 3.

Lady Drummond, the, correspondent of the “Daily Express” telegraphing from Berlin, says; “I learn on the hi ".'host authority that Germany lias obtained assurances that she alone will be admitted to the League Council at the coming session. The authorities added: ‘‘\\ o do not care 'liter that what- comes up for discussion. Dr Luther at Hamburg reiterated that Germany would enter the Titague only as a member of an unchanged Council.