LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 March 1926, Page 2

LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] GERMANY STILL WAITING. GENEVA, March 11. The Dominions’ representatives arc reluctant to discuss publicly the delicate situation, though all are impressed wit'U the fact that Sir -Austen Chamberlain lost his opportunity during the week to keep in close touch with them and report every development. While it is pretty clear that the Dominions’ representatives do not view with favour the expansion of the Council, they are generally disinclined to take a tragic view of the developments. but do not disguise their fear regarding the prestige of the League, if matters are allowed to drill. Interviewed, the German delegates said: “If we are elected, we shall stay; otherwise, we go” They declared that there was no question ot their leaving Geneva. They were awaiting an ausuei to the question they put. They expected the Council to decide whether tho promise made to Germany was to be carried out or not. GENEVA. March 14. An informal three hour meeting of members was adjourned till to-morrow. . The meeting of the Assembly for the purpose of voting on the entry of Germany to the League has boon fixed for lGtli March. AL Vandervelde (Belgium) in leaving the Council declared that a fresh effort was being made to-morrow to reach a solution ns it would he humilitating for all to return home, and they had endangered the work ol Locarno. He added that should not a. solution he reached before Ifith March they, at any rate, could explain the position to the Assembly and learn the latter’s opinion. SITUATION AIORE HOPEFUL. GENEVA, Alareh 14. A more hopeful view prevails at present as a solution, which would save tlm face of all parties, appears to Ihe in sight. It is understood the Council is working on the proposal of AL Yandervelde (Belgium) according to which Germany will obtain a seat on the Council forthwith anil immediately afterwards pronounce in favour of the addition of one non-permaneut seat, leaving the mooting of the Assembly in September to select a country which will occupy that seat. The question of additional permanent seats appears to he abandoned for the present. COMPROMISE SUGGESTIONS. LONDON. Alareh 15. The general impression at Geneva is that the Council lias exhausted its usefulness in its eflort to find a solution. The only hope now is that the Assembly mav he more successful.

The Daily Express says: —The Assembly is tho forum of the World. It the Council is unable to deal with the crisis, let it take the case openly to the Assembly, where those menacing peace hv recalcitrance or self-seeking will hear the full odium in the face of all civilised peoples.

Al. Briand was busy throughout Sunday, seeing the German delegates twice before consulting Sir Austen Chamberlain in the evening. Ho then interviewed Dr Stresemann again.

French opinion is consideraldy more eptimjetic than the British delegation about a settlement on Tuesday. Indeed a prominent Frenchman at Geneva asserts that Germany will be happily ensealed in the Council on Tuesday.

A feature of the crisis has boon n number of misleading reports deliberately circulated by interested parties in order to snatch a temporary ilipKmiatic sucitess. Those dubious rumours include a number of cireum-stant-iat statements that certain members of tlie Council are willing to retire in favour of Poland. These re-

ported resignations are so numerous that a cynical observer commented'. “As matters now stand. Poland will soon have more seats on the Council than all the Powers put together.”

.One compromise is under consideration. This is the resignation of all the noii-pernianeiit mcniliers of the Council except Spain and Brazil. Thus Uruguay would !e replaceable by another South American State, and Czecho-Slovakia- by Jugo-Slavia. Belgium might he sacrificed for Poland. A late message from Geneva states that Sir Austen Cluunehrlain during the evening, referred to the difficulties being (reatd by a non-European nation, which his hearers understood to he Brazil.

Commenting on this, the “Morning Post” points out : "There are considerable dangers of outside Powers who are not greatly interested in European politics, taking advantage of the situation.”

GERMAN STATEMENT MODIFIED. (Received this day at 8.30 a.m.) GENEVA, March 15. Dr Stre.seniaini announced that Sweden had resigned her seat oil the Council to make room for Poland, as a solution of the eiiibroglio. The German delegation la tor ' modified this statement, declaring that'Sweden had not resigned her seat, hut had offered to resign. Dr Stresemann added that Sweden’s action made a difficult situation for Germany. .START OF THE TROUBLE. LONDON, Match 15. "The tr igedy of Geneva is the tragedy of Sir A. Chamberlain in a sense hitherto not disclosed.’’ says the “Graphic” m recording how he first came to meddle with the idea of Poland’s entry to the League Council. “Sir Austen Chanih«.rlaiu left lUtpallo, where he had been convalescing beiore he was completely cured, and met M. Brinud in Paris when he was physically unlit and out of touch with British events and opinions. The discussions showed the French wizard at his subtlest and lie impressed Sir A. C hamberlain with the reasonableness of Poland's claim. This was the starling point of the trouble. Had Sir Austen been less conscientious and remained in his doctors’ hands a little longer there would have been no League crisis.”