THE LEAGUE.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 December 1920, Page 5

THE LEAGUE.

j THE BALTIC STATES. [ .ADMISSION REFUSED, By XtltgMpb.—rtes» Aun—Copyright Received Dec. 17, 7.25 p.m. I Geneva, Dec. IG. I The Assembly refused admission to the Baltic States. Nansen strongly Appealed for the admission of Georgia, a» that country wa3 one of the best safeguards against Bolshevism in the East.

Lord Robert Cecil supported Nansen, [but Mr. Fisher thought the League should not undertake responsibilities which it might not be able to fulfil. The Assembly refused admiss.on by 124 votes to 10, but all the States are to be given representation if desired on technical organisations.—Au». and N.Z. Cable Aim.

MANDATES AT32IN DISCUSSED.

MR. MILLEN'S VIEWS ACCEPTED.

Received Dec- 17, 5.5 p.m. Geneva, Dec. 6. The Australian Press correspondent Jtatee that the meeting of the Sixth Commission discussed the question of mandate*. It is reported that a number of members held the view that the Assembly should nominate ths mandajtory States. i Mr. Millen (Australia) took strong exception to this view. The surrendered territories had been ceded to the Allies and the Associated Powers, who granted the mandatories to various countries and published the fact to the whole world before the covenant was Signed. The League claimed to rest upon justiee, and it could not begin its career by violating the very covenant Which called it into being. 'Mr. Millen strongly urged the Commission not to press such a view.

Several delegates stated that though they held the Assembly had the right to issue the mandates, they would not press it in the face of Mr. Millen's statement, and particularly as the mandates were granted before the signing of the covenant.

TRere is some likelihood that the mandates will come before the Assembly to-morrow.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

ADMISSION OF STATES. Geneva, Dec. 18. Mr. Millen explains that he did not vote for the admission of Austria to the League because he did not know whether the Commonwealth embargo against trading with Austria had been removed.

The Assembly resumed the debate on the admission of States. Mr. Millen abstained from voting on the admission of Bulgaria. M. Viviani explained that he did not object to Bulgaria's admission, but abstained from recording a vote. Bulgaria was admitted by 35 votes to 2. Mr. Millen decided having abstained from voting against Austria, to maintain his consistency by not voting in the case.<rf any enemy State. The budget for 1921 in gold francs provides for a direct expenditure on the Secretariat of 8,665,000 franca, an indirect expenditure of 3,635,000 francs and a special working capital fund of 1,890,000 francs. The Labor organisation wilt cost 7,010,000 francs. Tfte revenue contribution to normal upkeep is 10,100,000 francs. The extraordinary contribution to capital account is 2,000,000 francs, and the extraordinary contribution to working capital 1,890 000 francs. '

The main items of expenditure are: Salaries, secretariat 4,200,000 francs, Assembly's meeting at Geneva 750,000 francs, Barcelona conference 500,000 francs, financial and economic organisation 780,000 francs,' court of justice 630,000 francs, health organisation 400,000 francs, unforeseen expenditure 500,000 francs, capital expenditure on the purchase of the League's seat at Geneva 2,000,000 francs '

ARMENIA'S POSITION. The Assembly admitted Costa Rica, Finland and Luxenburg, but refused Armenia's application by 21 votes to 8. Australia and New Zealand voted with (fa majority and Canada with the minority. Mr. Fames thought it a farce to vote to allow Armenia representation on the technical organisations, which she could join by signing the Conventions. Replying to Mr. Millen, the president announced that the council had no information that Armenia had turned Soviet. On M. Viviani's suggestion the whole subject was referred back to the commission.