FUTURE OF LEAGUE

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 441, 24 May 1937, Page 5

FUTURE OF LEAGUE

ABYSSINIAN CONQUEST IMPERIAL CONFERENCE DISCUSSION Attitude Of Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage Press Association —Copyright. Don don, May 22. The Imperial Conference spent the whole morning to-day in further —■=- cussion of the international situation. A small committee of some Ministers resumed discussions on what the official spokesman chooses to describe as a “minor matter.” Whether, however, the League of Nations’ future and, more immediately, the bearing of recognition. or non-recognition of Italy’s conquest of Abyssinia on it is □f “minor importiance” is perhaps. l questioned by some delegates. The Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, Prime Minister of New Zealand, is believed to have taken the strongest possible line .concerning the matter, necessitating some delegates more experienced in European affairs having to explain, that the position is not quite as some im'agine. The Foreign Secretary, Mr Anthony Eden, has been anxious to secure a common Empire front in connection with the Abyssinian question before his departure to_morrow for Geneva, where the Credentials Committee, if the Abyssinian delegates attend, may be compelled, to decide that Haile Selassie does not represent tiny State. Otherwise, the Kalians may abandon the League irrevocably. Collective Security. Mr Savage evidently insists on rebuilding collective security. One of the most urgent problems is the inernational situation, but most of the others believe that any immediate attempt to reconstruct the League will prove .fruitless. Recignition of the Abyssinian conquest opens up the whole question of the Dominions’ attitude to the- League and likewise involves the Spanish situation. Discussions on, all these points will be resumed on Mr Eden’s return from, Geneva later in the week. Pending his return meetings on the international situation will be temporarily suspended. Mr Neville Chamberlain, Chancellor of the Exchequer, presided at the morning’s meetings when Mr Eden briefly dealt with questions raised at yesterday’s discussions. Part of today’s proceedings were devoted to the Far East, Mr Eden especially dealing with Anglo Japanese refections. Britain has accepted Mr Satoh’s gesurcs toward Anglo-Japanese rap_ proachement at its face value but considers that progress in the matter must be slow. Mr Saitoh has to feel his way among his own people, while nothing will be done by London likely to frighten the Chinese, who have been categorically assured by Mr Eden that China will not have to foot the bill of anj 7 Anglo-Japanese agreement. Moreover, China’s particular interests will not be disregarded. It is g‘a-hered that Mr Elen hai also intimated that Britain is awaiting specific proposals from Japan. Mr J. A. Lyons, Prime Minister of Australia, on behalf of the Commonwealth, will submit a comprehensive memorandum on his Pacific proposal i for the study by all delegations prob- | ably at the end of next week.