LEAGUE “REFORM”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 November 1938, Page 5

LEAGUE “REFORM”

REPORTED FOUR POWER PLANS ADMISSION OF GERMANY AND ITALY OPPOSITION BY RUSSIAN ANTICIPATION By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, November 1. The Geneva correspondent of the “Manchester Guardian” says that he is reliably informed that the general arrangement which Mr Chamberlain is hoping to make with Germany, into which Italy and France would be admitted, is, first, a limitation of armaments; secondly, an economic arrangement; and, thirdly, a political arrangement on the lines of a Four-Power Pact. Herr Hitler also favours some permanent organisation with a secretariat, either a “reformed” League or a new organisation taking the place of the League.

The proposed League “reform” involves the suppression of. the amendment of several articles existing in the Covenant, notably articles 10, 16, and 26. This would be most difficult, as a unanimous vote is necessary and Soviet opposition is certain. Germany’s return to the League is similarly faced with an obstacle, as Herr Hitler obviously will demand a permanent seat on 'the Council,- also requiring a unanimous vote, which Soviet opposition will render impossible.

It seems, therefore, that, unless the Soviet can somehow be pressed out of the League, the League itself must be scrapped in favour of a completely new organisation.