THE LEAGUE.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 November 1920, Page 5

THE LEAGUE.

GENEVA CONFERENCE.

WILL GERMANY BE THERE?

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.

Received Nov. 7, 5.5 p.m.

London, Nov. 5. A conference of British delegates to the League of Nations met at the House of Commons to discuss the subjects on the agenda for the Geneva Conference, and arriving at a general understanding. Besides 31r. Lloyd George, there were present: Mr. Bonar to, Lord Curzon, Mr. Austell Chamberlain, and the following delegates: Britain, Mr. A. Fisher (Minister of Education), and Mr. G. H. Barnes (an ex-Minister); Canada, Mr. Rowell; South Africa, Lord Robert Cecil and Mr. Blenkenburg (High Commissioner) ; India, Sir Wm. Meyer and Ranjitsintji. The Canadian delegates (Messrs Foster and Doiierty) have not arrived, and Mr. A. J. Balfour, a British delegate, was absent owing to illness. The Premier spoke for three-quarters of an hour. He dealt with German reparations, the surrender of arms, the navy, and shipping, all of whicli were satisfactory except rifles, which were not delivered because they were scattered over the country, hut he conveyed the impression that Germany was doing her best to comply with the Treaty. The Premier said grave difficulties were developing among the smaller nations, notably with regard to the delimitation of frontiers.

A desultory discussion followed, and the conference adjourned til) Monday. The Australian Press Association learns that the discussion revealed that strong efforts are being made in certain quarters to invite Germany to participate in the Geneva Conference. It is understood France and Australia are opposing this, while the attitude of the others is uncertain.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

PERILS WITHOUT LEAGUE. REVIVAL OF THE OLD SYSTEM. Received Nor. 7, 11.5 p.m. London, Nov. C. Lord Robert Cecil, in a speech in London, stated that unless it was realised at tile earliest possible moment that the League meant a confederation of all the nations of the world, there would be great danger of a counterleague, implying a revival of the old r -ystem of alliances and the balance of power, and nothing would be done to rescue the universe from the perils threatening.—Aua.-N.Z. Cable Assn.