LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 31 March 1919, Page 5

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

REASON AND JUSTICE. INSTEAD OF FORCE AND INTRIGUE Received March 30, 5.5 p.m. London, March 28. Mr. Lloyd George, in a message published in the Manchester Guardian, slates that the League of Nations represents the greatest attempt ever made to substitute reason and justice for force and intrigue as the governing principle of international relations. This principle being accepted, the nations must be inspired with a real determination to work in close harmony for the betterment and liberty of mankind. The league must be made ail effective instrument for the solution of every international problem. America and Britain, who have taken such a leading and honorable part in promoting this beneficient scheme, must give a practical demonstration of their belief in it. Disarmament is au essential condition to success.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. Received March 30, 11.25 p.m. Paris, March 29. It is likely that Geneva will be selected as the capital of tin League of Nation' —Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. RE-DRAFTING THE LEAGUE.

IMPOSSIBLE TO MEET ALL DESIRES. WILSON OPPOSES FRENCH. DEMANDS. Received March 30, 5.5 p.m. New York, March 29. A Paris despatch states that the efforts towards re-drafting certain provisions in the League of Nations covenant, in compliance with the wishes of friendly critics, proved unavailing. It was asserted that every effort at re-drafting emphasised the fact that changes could not be made without offending the susceptibilities of some nation. It was pointed out in high circles that the effort to provide special recognition of the Monroe doctrine would probably lead to Japan proposing that her special rights in China be recognised. A report is current that President Wilson on his return to Paris assured M. Clemenceau that America would not support the full French demands in reference to the west bank of the Rhine, and would not support France's opposition to the amalgamation of German-Austria with Germany, whereupon, according to report, M. Clemenceau offered his resignation on March 17.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Asspe.

POSITION OF NEUTRALS. SOVEREIGN POWERS SAFEGUARDED Received March 30, 5.5 p.m. Paris, March 28. • Mr. Fraser states that thirteen neutrals conferred with the League's subcommittee and offered suggestions and many amendments to meet their views. The neutrals displayed a friendly interest in the proceedings without giving pledges. The impression derived was that many, if not all, will join the League. A provision has been inserted clearly protecting their sovereign powers, and it is also made clear that in the decisions of the executive and delegates, except where otherwise provided, care will be taken that every small State shall have equal power with large in dealing with subjects affecting its interest. There is also an express reservation that the League must not interfere in the internal affairs of any country. The executive is given power to enlarge the numbers, provided the ratio between the large and small States is maintained, but after delegates have received the council's approval. My authority states that a definite pledge has been given that the covenant shall be discussed at a plenary session. The Japanese will then press their claim for equality. He admitted that though the League provided for non-interference in the internal affairs of any country, there had been occasions when internal matters had developed into international. One league might be called to settle such an affair, and it is therefore somewhat difficult clearly to say what was purely an internal affair. Even a question of immigration might assume international importance—Aus. Cable Assoc. Received March 31, 12.20 p.m. . New York, March 28. David Lawrence, Evening Post's Washington correspondent, interviewed Baron Ishii, who said: "I am sorrv some: American Senators have misunderstood my New York speech (cabled on the 14th' March) I had no particular instructions from my Government to make this speech, but the stfbject is verv close to the hearts of the Japanese people. We must go to the source of all friction between peoples in order to establish a league of nations which will prevent war What Japan seeks is largely sentimental i said nothing in the speech which would crive a basis for believing that Japan intended to have the United States opan her gates to unrestricted Japanese immieration. The quarrel between American and Japanese soldier' at Tientsin was merelv a local brawl likelv to occur whenever larce bodies of soldiers conSTesate The Korean uprising is merely the work of yonn.i Korean students. The Japanese pdministration in Korea has been excellent. — Aus -N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE REVISED COVENANT. ELASTIC CONDITIONS. Received March 30, 5.5 p.m. Paris, March 2S. The revised covenant provides that the nations may withdraw on giving two years' notice. No nation is compelled to accept the mandatory right conferred. Women may become delegates. Such matters as the traffic in arms and munitions are to be placed on separate lists, so that the various States may ratify the covenant without being compelled to accept any particular convention. The Foreign Ministers of the four Great Powers are now sitting to deal with the peace treaty. The Finance Committee of the Conference, under the Hon. E. S. Montagu's presidency, is considering the apportionment of the German public debt; also the question of government of State property in the States ceded under the peace treaty.