LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 September 1926, Page 2

LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

(Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.]

ADMISSION OF GERMANY. GENEVA. Sept. S.

After the motion of admission of Germany, was adopted, came the ticklish point of the motion giving Germany a permanent seat on the Council and increasing the non-permanent’s seats by three. Nansen walked towards the Dais and asked the President what it all meant, but after a whispered conversation with Air Churchill who assured him that everything was plain and above lxiard he resumed his seat. Niutchitich clinched the position by declaring the Assemblers present must come to an immediate decision of all clauses, which precluded further discussion, so it became cither the choice of yes, no, or abstention. Finally all the Scandinavians contributed to another unanimous affirmative which gave Germany a seat on the Council, and added three non-permanents to he chosen later.

A telegram telling the Germans to come post haste to Geneva was already ticking, to Berlin, and Friday will see them seated among the guardians of, the world peace. Most of the delegates are ready to pay a tribute to Sir A. Chamberlain’s persistence at Locarno and Lord Cecil’s skill at Geneva, in extricating the Council’s reorganisation scheme from the muddle created in March. THE AfANDATES. GENEVA. Sept, 9. Sir Austen Chamberlain states that the Council will not he forced further with new .mandatory questions till Australia and New Zealand have had time to submit their views on economic equality in the mandated territories, and right of petitioners therein to approach the Mandates Commission direct.

GERMANY RATIFIES LOCARNO. GENEVA, Sept. 8. In reply to the news that Germany had been admitted to the League, Herr Strcseinaim (German Foreign Minister) wired as follows: “Leaving instantly, bringing Germany’s Locarno ratification.” It is now proposed that all the ratifications shall lie deposited with the League during the week-end. GERMAN PRESS COMMENT. BERLIN, Sept. 8.

The German Nationalist newspapers alone comment oil Germany’s admission with no enthusiasm. The “Bocrsen Zeitung” says:—“lt must not he forgotten that wo join the. League circle as an infamous partner who still has a policeman in her, house. Peaceful collaboration is impossible, until the humiliations of the Versailles Treaty have been removed.” The “Deutsche Allgcmeine” demands the withdrawal of the occupational troops and military missions from German territory, which it says, arc the instruments of an unreasonable policy of violence.” The “Lokal Anzieger” declares that Germany sees herself at Geneva .surrounded by the envy and ill will of open enemies and she is therefore pledged to the greatest watchfulness. The ‘Tncgliclie Rundchau” says that it is glad that Germany has reached a goal which is only a stage in her struggle for the restoration of •’Germany, the healing of the damages of the war. and the pacification of Europe. GENEVA, Sept. 9.

An. illuminating story lies behind the revival of the year-old talk that the Dominions should hold a rotating permanent neat on the League Council. At present the only permanent Dominion representative here is the Canadian. Doctor Riddell. This new embarrassment in the seats struggle was moted over the week-end, and there is reason to believe that the Irish Free State delegates were sounded, but apparently the Australians have not been approached. The project was further discussed when Sir .T. Foster arrived, and the news got abroad. Sir J. Foster thereupon announced that no action was contemplated at present.

It is - understood that what really happened was that the British delegation got wind of the affair. and quietly hut firmly told the instigators that it was a matter for Empire discussion , if at -all, and that the present was no time even to think about it.