LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2489, 5 October 1922, Page 1

LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

AUSTRALIANS IMPRESSED. GOOD WORK ACCOMPLISHED. LONDON, Oct. 2. Mr Justice Rich is most optimistic regarding the future of the League of Nations, which lie confessed at first he regarded ns an imaccomplishable ideal, but the recent sittings had much solid achievement placed io their credit, such as advance towards disarmament and the admission of Hungary, because the more countries that Were admitted the better for the League. There was also the assistance given Austria and also the indication how the League intended to intervene where possible in international disputes. In connection with the action they took in the present Turkish trouble, Mr Justice Rich paid a warm tribute to the enthusiasm and sincerity of Lord Cecil which, combined with his complete legal training, -sot him among the most prominent figures at the conference. Me was also impressed with ihe grasp of public, diplomatic and political subjects shown by Prince Ranjitsinhji. Sir Joseph Cook, when interviewed, said lie was of the opinion that the League was already proving itself increasingly valuable. Though it was formed ostensibly to maintain a peace already made at Versailles, it had had to devote itself actually to making peace where none existed. Ihe League had won its spurs already by its intervention in Upper Silesia. He believed that the recent assembly had been well worth while it' only for' the steps taken for the rehabilitation of Austria. Y\ ithout the League, the various Powers would have haggled lor an opportunity of helping Austria financially, but the one paying would practically have taken control, which -would have tended to international discord and possibly war. The League could hardly take over the Near East situation at the present juncture. No pence had been made with Turkey for the League to maintain, and there could not be two sets of negotiations operating simultaneously, lie hoped that eventually the contending nations would accept the British view and favour handing over the control of the Straits to the League.—A. and N.Z. cable.