LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 1919, Page 5

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

A UNION OF WILLS, j NO sfiRIOUS DIFFERENCES OF OPINION. PRESIDiiNT WILSON'S VIEWS. New York, Feb. 18. President Wilson, speaking regarding the covenant of the League of Nations, said: "It was obvious throughout our discussions, that, although mere were subjects upon which, there were individual differences ui judgment in regard to the methods by winch our objects could be attained, there was practically no point of any serious difference of opinion or motive as to the object we were seeking. Fourteen nations were represented, and the significance of the result, therefore, has that deepest of all meanings, the union which cannot be resisted, and which, I uare say, no nation will run the risk of attempting to resist." Referring to the character of the document, he said: "It is very simple and in nothing so simple as in the structure which it suggests for the League of Nations—a body of delegates, an executive council, and a permanent secretariat. We are depending primar:ly and chiefly on one great force, the moral force of the public opinion of the world and the clarifying and compelling influences of publicity, so that sinistei designs can be drawn into the open and promptly destroyed by the overwhelming light of a universal expression of condemnation. Armed foree. is ir. the background and if moral force does not suffice physical force shall. We have finished with the annexations of helpless peoples. Many such instances in which annexation was used merely for ' their exploitation have been one of the many distressing revelations of recent rears- Germany, which has just, hapnily. been defeated, put intolerable burdens and injustices unon the colonies which she annexed, effecting their extermination rather than their development. "In conclusion." he said, "the document ensures that in future mandatory States will be picked which have already shown they can exorcise a conscience in this matter and that under their tutelage the helpless peoples of the world come into new light and new hope The miasma of distrust and intrigue has been cleared awav and men are now looking eye-to-eye ar.d saying. "We are brothers and have a common purpose. We have not realised thin before, but we do now. and th'i i* n ur covenant of friendship.' "—Am -N.Z. Cable Assn. WARM PRAISE BY TAFT. WILSON SHOULD BE CONGRATULATED. Received Feb. 20, 5.5 p.m, Washington, Feb. 18. Mr. Taft, speaking at Philadelphia, said that all must thank God as they read the provisions of the League of Nations covenant, which would prevent war. President Wilson should be warmly congratulated. —Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. CLAIMS OF BALKAN STATES. Received Feb. 20, 8 p.m. Loudon, Feb. 19. A communique from Paris states that representatives explained the territorial claims of the Serbs, Slovenes, and Croats. It was decided to submit the question of frontiers claimed, with the exception of those in which Italy is directly interested, to a commission charged with the examination of the question relating to Banat.—Reuter. FRANCE WILL ABIDE BY THE DECISION. Received Feb. 20, 5.5 p.m. New York, Feb. 17. Washington correspondents report that the Republican Senators intend to disregard President Wilson's appeal not to debate the League of Nations covenant at present. The United Press' Paris correspondent learns on high authority that France will abide by the decision, whether it favors or disfavors the adoption of the league.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. THE PRESIDENT'S VIEW. Received Feb. 20, 9.35 p.m. New York, Feb. 19. The Sun's Paris correspondent states that President Wilson does not believe the League of Nations is an accomplished fact, or that its path in future will not be beset with perils. He is greatly disappointed with the covenant's failure to j assure religious tolerance. —Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. AMERICAN PRESS VIEWS. Received Feb. 20, 11.10 p.m. New York, Feb. 17. The Philadelphia press, commenting on the League of Nations, praises its constitution, and says it is a real league. It thinks the plan to bring economic pressure against a league member breaking the covenant is excellently devised, and says President Wikon owes a great debt to General Smuts and Lord Robert Cecil for their assistance in the elaboration of the league constitution, giving the Great Powers five votes on the executive council of nine. One of the most important features is that the Great Powers are responsible for the practical working of the league. Therefore the minor States should not be permitted equal authority with the Great Powers, which would perilously interfere with the league's efficient operation. —Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. PRESIDENT WILSON AND THE SENATORS. Received Feb. 20, 9.35 p.m. New York, Feb, 18. A Washington message states that President Wilson has cabled to each member of the Senate's foreign relations committee, asking him to dine with him on February 26, when he will explain the League of Nations covenant, article by ; article. He asks them to come for this opportunity to explain the covenant be* ' fore it is subjected to debate in Wash- ' ington.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc.