THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 September 1927, Page 3

THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

■Jf N.Z. Cable Association.)

LEAGUE COUNCIL. GENEVA. Sept. 18. The Council sat at ten in the morning till eight in the evening trying ( for a solution of the Hungarian land squabble. Finally when the tempers were heated, the President had to adjourn to give protagonists a chance to sleep on the awkward position. It is hoped second thoughts will produce a situation less menacing to the future of the League, and the world’s estimation of the Council to settle disputes. There was a striking scene in the Glass Halt which was crowded all day long to witness the lengthy duel. Apponyi front one end of the tables, tall, upright, bearded, grey-headed, well ;over eighty, and at the other end Titulesco, clean-shaven, resembling a modernised Chinaman. Apponyi the whole morning was

dignified and restrained in the presentation of the case. Titulesco clear with tho incisivcncss of an experienced lawyer, declared the Hungarian claims amounted to four hundred million. gold francs which was beyond Roumania’s means. Neither yielded an inch to the other in the deadlock. When Sir A. Chamberlain attempted with partial success and sought a unanimous vote on the main principles of his committee’s recommendations to the effect that Agrarian reform could be carried out from enemy territory provided the enemy owners were treated exactly as Rumanians, omitting however, a specific recommendation whereto both parties objected, was expected to bring the climax. Everyone was excited. Apponyi began an appeal to individual menibers:—Say. yea or nay; but went off on another long harangue.

The Disarmament Committee began detailed consideration of the resolutions and took the first of Nansen s proposals for an international arbitration treaty. When a motion to approve of the principle was drawn up in draft. Mr Pearce asked what was the advantage of seeing many countries, including Australia in no circumstances approved of arbitration in all questions. He was reassured that lie was in nowise committing himself in approving of the drafting since the draft would later be submitted for approval. Anyhow the treaty would be purely optional. A great fight movement headed hv M. Boneour in an attempt to induce tho Empire to accept a modified form of the protocol begins in the same Committee on Monday. I’ARiIS, Sept. 18.

“Lo Matin” says Canada’s election is welcome because in the future, the British delegate will no longer be able to speak in the name of the whole Kin pire.

LEAGUE COUNCIL PRESIDENT LONDON. Sept. 18.

The ‘Sunday Express” Geneva <oi‘respondent says there was a difficult situation at the commencement of the Council. The President is chosen annually in alphabetical order, and it was China’s turn, but with her lion-permanent seat, it was almost farcical, and there is the present Chinese situation, while her dues to the League are now £240,000 and not paid. The Chinese delegate, Wang, diplomatically withdrew in favour of Villegas.