LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20495, 11 May 1938, Page 7

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

THE ANGLO-ITALIAN AGREEMENT A CONTRIBUTION TO WORLD PEACE CHINA’S PROTEST AGAINST JAPAN’S AGGRESSION (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received May 11, 11.55 a.m.) GENEVA, May 10 \ iscount Halifax, in a statement to the Council of the League of Nations regarding the Anglo-Italian pact, declared that it was a contribution to world peace, thereby serving League interests. M. Bonnet (France) said he and M. Daladier were satisfied as to the value of the agreement and hoped that a favourable Franco-Italian understanding would further the cause of peace. M. Litvinoff (Russia) declared that the pacts would have important repercussions on world problems, including that of Abyssinia. He reserved judgment. The Council, after hearing Dr Wellington Koo regarding China’s protest against Japanese aggression and the alleged use of poison gas, etc., adjourned at 5 p.m.

BRITAIN AND ITALY STATEMENT ON AGREEMENT HELP TO PROMOTE PEACE THE VALUE OF UNDERSTANDING (omclal Wireless) (Received May 11, 1 p.m.) RUGBY, May 10 At to-day’s session of the League Council Viscount Halifax, in making a statement on the Anglo-Italian agreement, said he would not embark on a detailed analysis of the agreement or on the history of Anglo-Italian relations during the few years following upon Italian action in Ethiopia. “The general result,” said Viscount Halifax, “has been to produce a re-

ABYSSINIA’S CASE THE DELEGATES NOT READY COUNCIL ABANDONS MEETING (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received May 11, l p.m.) GENEVA, May 10 The afternoon meeting of the Council was abandoned, as the Abyssinlans were not ready to slate their case. POISON GAS INDICTMENT OF JAPAN ALLEGATIONS BY DR. KOO WANTS VINDICATION OF LEAGUE United Press Assn.— Elec. Tel. Copyright GENEVA, May 10 Dr. Wellington Koo, Chinese delegate to the League of Nations, notified the Council to-day that Japan intended a large-scale employment of poison gas on the Shantung front. He demanded invocation of the Covenant in order to prevent such an infamous crime and vindicate the League principles. Although China, , with a major victory at Taierhchwang, had turned the tide of battle find shattered the myth of Japanese invincibility, said Dr. Koo, she still needed war materials. No nation except one, in spite of the League resolutions, had done anything to assist her. Japan's armed forces numbered 1,000,000. Her lack of success had driven her to increased ruthlessness, including the wanton slaughter by bombs of non-combatants, unprecedented violence to women and children and the massacre of hundreds of male civilians.

grettable state of tension between the two countries, which lias reflected itself not only upon our mutual rela- ; tions but also over a much wider field- : Particularly was this so in the Mediterranean area, where it is true that if relations between Italy and the United Kingdom are strained the sense of security of many nations is impaired. It is not only, therefore, to their own specific interests, which run parallel through the Mediterranean and down the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean, but also to the advantage of many other countries, that His Majesty’s Government and the Italian Government should settle their outstanding differences and lay down a basis which, it is hoped, will ensure a good understanding between them in the areas where their mutual interest in involved. A Significant Fact “This is what the two Governments have sought lo achieve by the conclusion of their recent agreement, thus, although the agreement might be said to deal solely with AngloItalian affairs, 1 am convinced that the mere fact that the mutual interests of the two great countries should be thus capable of reconciliation is significant. This fact must encourage all who wish to believe that on the basis of reason and goodwill international differences qan be solved. “It must also of necessity react favourably upon the general sense of security, not only in Europe but throughout the world. “On these broad grounds, therefore, the agreement can, In the view of His Majesty’s Government, be readily regarded as a contribution to general peace, nor can His Majesty's Government doiilijt that it is the realisation or this which has inspired the reception given to tin', agreement in most countries and particularly in Europe.” Relations With Other Powers Viscount. Halifax continued that His Majesty’s Government had close re!a : tions with many other Governments, especially with France, in Europe and elsewhere. It did n«•! regard any of these relationships ns by any means exclusive, and whilst strengthening * sought ways to increase them in number and extend their scope. The t her slep in this direct ion. as well as assisting the promotion of peace in this distracted world. For tlm same reason Ihe British Government was following with interest lire progress made by the French G..vernnient in its effort- to reach a mutual agreement with Italy-