THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3632, 19 November 1920, Page 5

THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

SPEECH BY LORD ROBERT CECIL. IMPORTANT TASKS AH GAD. LONDON, Nov. 17. Lord Robert Cecil, criticising the opinion expressed that the League was •dead, said the Council’s report gave the lie thereto. The Council had dope an immense amount of valuable international work, both in organisation and political and constructive work. It was necessary to get the machinery in order before they could come to the vast problems' confronting the League. He was hopeful the year’s work would be of such a nature as .to appeal to the public of the world. Britain was anxious that there should be all possible economy in the League finances, but if half a million a. year was spent, that was a small premium to pay for the League,'whose objects was to prevent war, when we compared it with the daily cost oUthe late war. As the mandates had been referred to a commission, it would be improper to comment thereon at this stage, but he hoped there would be no further delay in establishing mandatory systems. Lord Cecil appealed to the League to take prompt steps to relieve Armenia. He urged the Council to inform the Assembly regarding the precise situation between Poland and Lithuania. Lord Cecil concluded by appealing to the Assembly not to show timidity in its work. He reminded them that he represented General Smuts, against whom his father waged war. He felt specially that he represented the spirit of reconciliation.

M. Puerredon (Argentina) considered that all sovereign States desiring t 6 join should b'C~'permfFted. l to do so. The exclusion of certain States might provoke the’ establishment of another League, also that the present League might be regarded as an alliance for the liquidation of war, rather than a powerful organisation to ensure peace. A DELEGATE ATTACKED. LONDON, Nov. 17. The Council received a telegram stating that robbers attacked vPrince Arfad, the chief Persian delegate to the League of Nations, while journeying from Persia to Geneva. Prince Arfad’s secretary was killed. Prince Arfad resumed his journey. „ Irritation in the throat, stuffiness in the head banished by NAZOL. Instant relief. Get a Nazol Inhaler. 3

LEAGUE’S FIRST PRESIDENT. Received 12.15 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 18. The Australian Press Association’s co/respondent at Geneva reports that M. Motta was elected honorary president of the First Assembly of the League of Nations. The election of vice-presidents includes Baron Ishii (Japan) and Mr. Foster (Canada). The former headed the poll. REPATRIATION OF PRISONERS. Dr. Nansen gave an interesting report on the work of repatriation of prisoners in Europe, and incidentally paid a tribute to-the way in which the Soviet had carried out its agreement in the face of grave transport difficulties. Dr. Nansen urged the rapid completion of the task, both on political and humanitarian grounds.