LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 March 1926, Page 3

LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

iAtlstralia & N.Z. Cabla Association.]

COUNCIL CONCLUDES

GENEVA, Afarcli. 19. Tilt' session of the League Council concluded, after fixing .May I7t.h as the dato for a meeting preparatory to setting up a Committee to consider disarmament, wherein Argentine and Chile will he invited to sit as additional members. Jt is understood that the committee to examine the question of reorganisation of the Council will include members of the Council, representatives of Switzerland, Poland, Germany, China a,nd Argentine. The last-named is an interesting inclusion, in view of Argentine’s withdrawal from the League three years ago, on account of v the divergence of opinion, notably regarding the composition of the Council. It is also noteworthy that Germany is included, though not yet a member ol tho League. The report of the Committee will be presented in September. ■Gerfilnriy was told that as a member of the League, she might be a possible candidate for Colonial mandates, hut it was incorrect to suggest that _ any promise or undertaking had been given. The question whether such an undertaking had the approval of the Dominions did not therefore arise. The executive of the League ol Nations, unanimously passed a resolution regretting that Germany had not immediately been admitted to the League Council, and expressing astonishment that Germany’s admission had been

made subject to secret bargains, t pledges, and even threats, utterly at •variance with the methods and spirit of the League, and also drawing attention to the extreme danger involved in the creation of any permanent irremovable memliers whatsoever except a few great Powers, whose continuous presence was necessary to the strength and authority of the Council. BERLIN, March 19. Tho Cabinet Council has unanimously approved the attitude of tho German delegates at Geneva. LONDON, March 19. The part played by Italy at Geneva continues to cause speculation, the “Daily Telegraph's” diplomatic correspondent saying that when it became known, that M. IJriand had assured Germany she would lie entitled to a Colonial mandate after her entry, a great outcry ensued (throughout the Italian press, which insisted that Italy had a prior claim to a mandate. This has considerably heightened the Italian distrust ot Germany’s entrj 7 , although no more was meant than that Germany would he as much entitled to he a mandatory as other members. The “Daily Herald” (Labour) states: “Fascist organs, especially iSignor .Mussolini’s, express unqualified satisfaction at Germany’s failure to secure a seat, and they infer Signor Mussolini achieved this result. They taunt, Sir A. Chamberlain and M. Briand with both regarding the Leaguo ns being their own territory. Sir Joseph Cook and Sir James Allen have arrived from Geneva. When iu- • terviewod, they agreed that they returned very disappointed with tho unfortunato results at Geneva. Sir Joseph Cook said that what happened was that which was always li‘nble to happen in any Parliament, namely, a single recalcitrant member had been enabled to hold up the whole proceedings, but in such a setting, with, the whole of the world’s press focussing attention on the conloreiiee, it had appeared with magnified seriousness. He was quite confident that all the difficulties would he cleared away in September. Asked what guarantee there was that some other recalcitrant would not appear in September and repeat Brazil’s intransigence. Sir Jospeh Cook replied that before September the constitution of the League would be very closely overhauled, with a special view to preventing a repetition of the contretemps. Questioned concerning the rumours that tho Dominions were seeking a seat on tho Council, Sir Joseph Cook was not inclined to make/ any suggestions. He simply commented: “Well, -mmy are far more entitled to a seat than some of the small nations that are struggling for one.” Asked whether there was any indication of tho Dominions taking their own 'lino, irrespective of British policy, Sir ' Joseph Cook replied: “In my opinion f/he Empire delegation is now. and must always be, a single diplomatic unit.” , Sir James Allen said that it would appear amazing to most people that a Power like Brazil' should he able to hold up the whole business of the Assembly. Anyhow, lie believed the event would lead to important reforms in the League methods of procedure. The only happy feature of the recent Assembly was the unity of the Imperial Delegations. Sir Austen Chamberlain consulted anti confided in the Dominion representatives in a most tree and frank manner throughout, and had , .the satisfaction of knowing that they were always solidly behind him.