LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 September 1926, Page 2

LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

(Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] U.S.A. CONDITIONS. GENEVA, September 3. Speaking at the second day’s debate on the United States’ reservations regarding joining the AYorld Court, Sir Francis Bell (New Zealand) dealt clearly and concisely with Americas fifth reservation, which is to the effect that the AYorld Court shall not. without the consent of the United States, entertain any request for an advisory opinion touching any dispute or question in which the United States has, or claims to have, an interest. Sir F. Bell said: "The question is whether the terms of this reservation would grant America exceptional privileges or superiority, over any ot the other signatories; secondly, it this is true, is it wise, or safe, for the league to grant these exceptional privileges S'” After dispassionately reviewing the arguments Sir Francis Bell concluded:

“ Undoubtedly resolution number live does confer superior and exceptional privileges, not possessed by the members of the League of Nations, whether they be on the League’s Council or not. The. power 'of veto, and the right to exercise it, are two different things. Should any member of the Council use the veto as the United States could do, if it so desired, it would wreck the League.” .AI. Undent suggested a unique compromise, namely that the American reservations should ho accepted with tlie reservation that, should the American interpretation at any time conflict with the League of Nations Council’sinterpretation, the AA’ashington connection with the AYorld Court should thereby Do severed automatically. SPAIN’S DECISION. GENEVA, September 3. The Council Reorganisation Committee adopted a resolution unanimously appealing to Spain to continue in the League of Nations and pointing outthat the re-election provison would give Spain virtual permanency, and also that the members’ expressions of goodwill towards Spain were not empty words, but were a proof of the Committee’s anxiety to respond to Spain’s wishes within the limits ol their duty to the League. The Committee, including the Spanish ropresntativc. adopted the report of the Reorganisation Committee. The Polish representative makes reservations On the Reorganisation report they being in regard to the qualification for re-eligibility. The Polish delegate recognises Spain’s claim, while upholding Poland’s claim, and is not prepared to oppose a solution that is capable of solving the League crisis. The’ Spanish representative upholds his country’s claim, and is referring the situation to his Government. China supports Spain’s claim, and upholds China’s own right to a- permanent seat at a suitable opportunity. The report expresses the opinion that modifications of the draft regulations will enable the Assembly to. keep in view the special claims of those States who will not be represented on tlie League Council during a prolonged period. GENEA'A, September 4. The mystery of Spain’s final pronouncement dominated Geneva yesterday. Senior Palaeois (Spanish delegate) in-' formed the journalists that he certainly would not he attending any more Council meetings, and that he saw no reason for optimism, hut the next move was up to Madrid. A belief continued prevalent in Geneva last night that Spain w.ould continue a non-comniital attitude, neither withdrawing nor participating. Senor Palaeois remaining on at Geneva as an observer. The Brazilian delegate continues in the same capacity. A movement is now growing in favour of the election of Spain and Brazil for three years, with eligibility for their re-election biennially, even though they should abstain.

GERMANY’S NEXT MOVE. BERLIN, September 3. The restoration of the German Colonies has been the subject of an interview granted to an Italian journalist by Herr Streseman (German Foreign Minister), and published in the German newspapers. There are signs that this question • will, ere long, be biVmched bv Germany in the form ofj a categorical demand. Herr Stresemann affirmed that there is an absolute uanimity of opinion in the Fatherland in favour of the return of Germny’s colonies. M ANDATED PEOPLES. GENEVA. September 3. Sir Austen Chamberlain, at the League Council meeting, strongly opposed the proposals made that those Powers holding the mandates' from the League should be called upon to answer what he termed “ long inquisitorial quostionaires.” and the proposal that the mandated peoples should have the right to petition the Permanent Mandates Commission regarding their alleged grievances. He, said that they .seemed to lie reaching a point when the government of the mandated territory would 110 longer he vested in the power which has received the mandates hut in the Mandates Commission. M. Briaiul (France) supported this view. He said that there was great danger of abuse if the mandated peoples were to he given unlimited permission to present oral petitions. ( Similar views were expressed by all the Powers on the Council which possess mandates, including New Zealand. The report of the Commission was accordingly referred hack. As the result of the protests made against the inquisitions concerning the mandated territories, a fresh resolution will he submitted to the Commission. Sir F. Bell and Mr Smith testified that New Zealand and South Africa were faithfully carrying out their mandates.