THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 March 1920, Page 10

THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

"AMERICA'S RESERVATIONS.

MR. HOOVER'S ADVICi).

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright,

New York, March 18. Mr. Hoover has made a statement that, despite the feeling of President Wilson and his associates that the strength of the League has been somewhat undermined by the reservations, they should accept them. They and the world should not be kept waiting longer for a settlement, regardless of what any of them might think the provisions of the League and Treaty should have been. Moderating influences could be created until the United States came to the conclusion that she would join the League. The reservations would not destroy the (possibility of the creation of a potent League in order to mitigate the dangers: facing the world. The alternatives for the United States were the continuation of its state of war with Germany for another year or the unthinkable conclusion of a separate peace. Mr. Hoover wrote to President Wilson on November 4, 1919, advising against the United States membership of the various commissions created by the Treaty on the ground that it would lead to vast difficulties and militate against the efficiency of the League. Mr- Hoover stated the following reasons for his attitude:—

1. The United States would not participate in German reparation. 2- Membership would breed acute international fraction. 3. The United States would be most effective if it devoted its entire influence to the League. 4. Europe would be over desirous to drag the United States into every European political and economic question.

5. Social unrest in Europe was not vet over.

6. Membership would make impossible the independence of the United States as a great moral reserve force. Mr. Hoover recently issued a statement saying that his views had been considerably modified since the letter was written-

Washington, March 18.

The Democrats and irreconciled Republicans united against Senator Lcn Roots' new reservation, resulting in its defeat bv the Senate.

Senator Lodge declared that he will keep the Senate in session until all tlic reservations are disposed of- The debate will be limited. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

The House of Representatives approved a peace time army of 200,000 men and 17,800 officers. Washington, March 19.

The Senate adopted a preamble to the Peace Treaty by which other Powers' acceptance of the United States reservation is not necessary.

The United States sent a strong remonstrance against the Allied Reparations Commission's ruling providing that, in the event of Germany not being able to meet her engagements in connection with the initial payment of an indemnity, German property in neutral countries might be forcibly sold. —Aus.-NZ. Cable Assn.

RUSSIA.

A MISSION OF ENQUIRY.

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyrijht. Received March 20, 2.10 p.m. London, March 19-

M. Albert Thomas, director of the International Labor Office, interviewed, pointed out agenda for the- meeting of the governing body '.at London next week includes a proposal to send a mission of enquiry to Rucsia, and the appointment of an international emigration mission.

In reference to the former, M. Thomas stated that a wireless message had been received to the effect that Russia, was prepared to allow a mission to enquire into questions of fact but reserved itself the right to send similar missions into other countries. The mission being sent by the League of Nations would make general enquiry, while the international labor mission would be independent, and enquire into industrial and social conditions, ot concerning itself with political issues. It would he carried out by representatives of employers, labor leaders, and Government experts. In order to ensure co-ordina-tion between the two enquiries the international labor office would be invited to nominate one employer and one worker on the general mission.—lmperI ial News Service. ESTHONIA AND LETTLAND. SOVIET LEADER'S BOAST.' Copenhagen, March 17. There is great tension between the Esthonians and the Letts over the frontier question. The Lettish Government is concentrating troops on the Esthonian frontier and making claims which Esthonia cannot accept. The British Mission has offered to mediate in order to avoid war. Moscow, March 17. The raihvaymen have ' agreed to a 12-hours' day until transport has been re-established. Washington, March 18, The State Department learns from Harbin that General Horvarts has relinquished the control of the Chinese Eastern railway zone as the result of a railway workers' , strike,—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. It is announced that American Red Cross workers found the Grand Duchess Olga, sister of the Czar of Russia, living in terrible poverty in an abandoned railway carriage near Novorossisk, South Russia. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Moscow, March 17.

Interviewed, Leo KamenoiV, President of the Moscow Soviet, said that tlic League of Nations had capitulated. Tt was created in the interests of the old Imperialists. They did not attach particular importance to the Allied Commission's visit it.o Russia. Bona ftle commissions from other countries desiring to make an impartial investigation would also be welcomed. They would not arrange routes for the Allied Commiwion, but would afford facilities to see everything. They ,asked the same right to send their commissions to other coun-tries.—Aus.-N-Z- Cable Assn.