THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 June 1927, Page 4

THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

VAIMOUS MATTERS DEALT WITH

(Australian A- X.Z. Cable Association.) PARIS. June IG. • |.e .Matin’s” Genova correspondent asserts that Germany was promised a sent on the Mandates Commission. “ T.o Petit Parisien’s” Geneva correspondent says, it is agreed that the verification of the destruction of Germany’s eastern fortresses shall be carried out, unostentatiously, by allien military officials, and the disposal of semi-manufactured munitions expedited. M. Pertinax declares that M. Briaml on the eve of going to Geneva tailed to obtain Cabinet’s agreement on the reduction of the Rhineland forces as quid pro quo. GENEVA, June 17. \n outstanding incident at the meeting of i;he Council of the League of ations was Sir Austen Chamberlain’s action in knocking the bottom out of fi motion moved by Herr Strosomann (Germany) calling on the Governments to give effect to the resolutions passed liv the Economic Conference.

Hen- Stroso.maim reviewed the work of the Economic Conference. Tfo dwelt on its recommendation that the time has arrived to check the increase in Customs iarilfs, and even to move in die opposite direction. Ho stressed the moral obligation on the part ol the Powers to set* the Conference’s resolutions carried out.

Whether it was with the object of ombarassing his Colleagues or otherwise, this would certainly have been the effect of Herr Strosemaun’s motion. Sir Austen Chamberlain succeeded in watering down the motion to one commending the valuable report for the consideration of the Governments.

The League. Council, which is generally more enthusiastic, agreed, hut resolved that the Economic Commit*-' should la-gin the study of the resolutions regarding the Customs tarifls with out delay. The Council referred the German request for a seat on the Mandate Commission to the Commission itself to report thereon. The Foreign Ministers discussed the A!lnmo-.fugo Slav question, and decided to renew overtures between Tirana and Belgrade. The Internationa,l Labour Conference has concluded. M. Chnttergcc. in closing the Conference, declared the draft convention dealing with sickness insurance in industry would constitute •’ most tangible result of the session, fie regretted tbo efforts of ihe Labour Bureau had failed to reach an agreement regarding freedom of association. Lui ils work would not lie in vain, since it helped to define the problem.

The .Morning Post’s Geneva correspondent is :iutlioritittivedy informed that representations to Moscow regarding the activities of the Third International will probably be conveyed through Herr Stresemann. who will inform the Soviet that, while Europe is most desirous of maintaining friendly relations, there is a limit beyond wlu-h it -will not tolerate excess. The correspondent adds—Herr Slresoma.nii is greatly chagrined over M. Briand’s departure, of which no warning had been, given, and has since caused the postponement of deliberations over the zone question for at least a month. The League of Nations Council indulged in a brief discussion on disarmament, following upon Mr Bonos reporting on the progress made by the Preparatory Com m i ttee. M. Boeounr (France) claimed that the first reading of the draft of the pi eject showed tha t there -were more points on which they were agreed than points on which they disagreed." Herr Stresemann (Germany) considered that results were inadequate. Ik- declared the whole, future of the League d«:eucled on the accomplishment of this task. M. Y niiderveldo (Belgium) answered that the League had succeeded in reducing theories to realities. It was now for the 'Governments t.o declare whether they really wished to disarm or to begin now nrm.inicnts coni petition.

fsir A. C'hriiniberlnin said lie was convinced that real progress was made Tho British preparatory delegatioi was neither discouraged nor pessimis tie.

Tho Council eventually approved of the action of the Committee in postponing the second reading of the draft until November. Tn the meantime the Coolidge Naval Conference and the debate in the Assembly in September may put the subject in a new light. A second private conference of the Locarno delegates, however, has resulted in a reaffirmation of the Locarno policy, and that the declaration of no I icy has already given, and will continuo to give, definite results.

There is no confirmation of the Paris newspaper Matin’s report that, fol-

lowing on the German conversations, the Powers will address a collective remonstrance to the Soviet.

A private meeting of tho Foreign A Tin isters decided that in the interests of European peace steps must immediately be taken to effect a settlement between Yugo-Slavia and Abanin.

PARIS, Juno 16,

Lo Matin's Geneva correspondent asserts that Germany has been promised a seat on the Mandates Commission. Le Petit Parisien’s Geneva correspondent says it is agreed that verification of the destruction of Germany’s eastern, fortress shall bo carried out unostentatiously by Allied military officials, and the disposal of the semimanufactured munitions expidited.

Gustave Pertinax declares that M. Briand, on the eve of going to Genova, failed, to obtained tlie Cabinet’s agreement on the reduction of the Rhineland forces as a quid pro quo. GENEVA. June lfi.

The Australian Press representative has departed for London. He says that he has reported at length to Mr Bruce by mail, on the proceedings of the Economic and Labour Conferences. The former provided a lead for European stabilisation. It is significant that Austria and Belgium have already announced that the will try to work out the recommendation. The correspondent personally expresses the opinion that the League of Nations is steadily gaining prestige, and justifies keeping the League in functional preparedness. GENEVA, June 16. Tjhe Council on the motion of Sir A. Chamberlain is sending to all Nations a questionnaire as to the effect of films on child welfare.

M. Briand developed acute shingles sudden! and returned to Paris to consult a specialist. He will probably need a month’s rest. The disarmament sessions open on Monday afternoon.