THE LEAGUE.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1920, Page 5

THE LEAGUE.

Success of the assembly. i AMERICA'S TASK IN ARMENIAN to Telezrtvh.—Preis Association. Received Nov. 28, 5.5 pan. I London, Nov. 2". Lord Robert Cecil, addressing British! »nd American joutnalista. said the I Assembly of the League of Nations at' Geneva thus far had been extraordinwily successful. It had a genuine belief |n its own vitality, which was exoeedinjrly encouraging. A review of the present Tnternational situation was, perhaps, the most important of its functions. It should not be confined to legislative work like a Parliament, but should indulge in discussion and criticism, which was as important as legislative duties. Referring to the Armenian situation, Lord Cecil said he had good , reason to believe that if a twenty million dollar loan was forthcoming it would suffice to save Armenia from the Kemalists until the Armenians could stand alone. He believed America was the best nation to undertake mediation.

Questioned by the Australian Press Association representative as to whether the Assembly could reply to the German protest without referring the subject to the Allied and associated Powers, Lord Cecil said he would like to see a delegate dare to stand up and argue tint the Assembly would have to submit the matter to the Allies. Lord Cecil was unable to say whether the Assembly wovdd Teply to the protest—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MONTENEGRO SEEKS ADMISSION. FIXING FINANCE OF LEAGUE. A DIFFICULT PROBLEM. Received Nov. 28, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 2". Two years ago M. Poincare and M. Pichon, on behalf of the Allies, induced the King of Montenegro to remain' in Paris, assuring him that when the enemy waß cleared out the Powers would respect Montenegro's integrity. Now Montenegro is requesting the League of Nations to admit her to membership. Montenegro's people resent Serbian domination, and have submitted to the Assembly a long list of atrocities perpetrated by the Serbs. The Montenegrins claim the fulfilment of the Powers' guarantees to preserve her sovereignty. The Foreign Minister wrote to the Secretariat on the subject ten days ago, but'so far has not received a reply. The commission dealing with contributions for the maintenance of the League is in a morass in regard to formulating a basis for payments. It examined a number of propositions, including one suggesting a basis on the the, expenditure by various nations on armaments, but this idea did not commend itself to the League. The clause offering most hope was based on national revenue and internal and external trade, also - population, with a proviso that the latter should not exceed that of the greatest European country, in order to safeguard India and China. Some modification along this line may furnish a reasonable and equitable standard. The main difficulty lies in obtaining accurate statistics, owing to a want of uniformity in their preparation, rendering a comparison in economic conditions more or less unsound.

Dissatisfied with the commission's decision not to accept amendments to the covenant, it is understood Argentina trill test the matter in the Assembly, moving that the Council should be elected each- session, five members only to be eligible for re-election to the succeeding session.

Roumania and Serbia strongly oppose the admission of Bulgaria. The Council decided to appoint a permanent commission for the examination of the annual reports of mandatories under article 22 oij the covenant, consitting pf five representatives of the nonmandatory Powers and four representatives of the mandatory Powers.—Aus.StJL Cable Assn. AN ECONOMIC BLOCKADE. MACHINERY FOR ITS OPERATION. Received Nov. 28, 11.5 p.m. London, Nov. 27. The Council of the League decided that two companies, one comprising French, British, and Spanish troops, and one company of Belgians, should police Vilna during the plebiscite, provision to be made for other nationalities participating if they desire, and the cost to be borne by Poland and Lithuania. The sixth commission considered an economic blockade based on Lord Robert Cecil's observations, by which it was thought tile Council could, in the majority of cases, institute a blockade without resorting to the creation of the more eumberous proposal to institute an international commission for the purpose. It was admitted there were complicate cases, Where for instance, a recalcitrant State might have a neighbor not within the League. Mr. Millen (Australia) thought it was seoMiary to establish and codify the measures'to be taken by each State in the event of a blockade. Instead of it being varied for different countries, there should be some fixed line of conduet adopted. Mr. Lange (Norway) supported Mr. Millen. /After a discussion, the commission /considered the Council should alone be responsible for the application of the blockade, and declared that an international commiseian should be consultative, and should devise the mechanism 0f a blockade.—Aus.-N/Z. Cable Assn.