THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 10672, 17 February 1926, Page 5

THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS

DELICATE POSITION ARISES. BRITAIN'S GUARDED ATTITUDE. (Per Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, February 16. Sir Austen Chamberlain said a special meeting of the Assembly of the League had been convoked for March 8 to consider Germany's application for admission. . -

Asked whether ha could remove apprehension both here and abroad, by stating if the British Government were opposed to any considerable increase on the Council, Sir Austen referred to his previous statement dn which he jsaid that Germany's entry to the League opened up the whole question of the composition! of the League Council. The British Ministry was at present considering all the issues, but he hoped it would recognise that in such a matter upon which a good deal of difference of opinion might exist, it wals desirable that full weight should be given to the feeling and arguments both in the Council and in the Assembly. The object and the usefulness of the League would be if the delegates were rigidly bound by instructions beforehand.

The Foreign-Secretary said he had given the" above considered reply in the hope that he would not be asked other questions until shortly before he went to Geneva. v Asked whether Germany's application would lie considered separately from the application of other States, Sir Austen Chamberlain said he was unable to answer for the League in the same specific way as he answered for the Foreign Office. The new situation in consequence of Germany's application to the League continues to be feared. Anxiety is reflected by questions in the House of Commons and ihe delicacy of the position is indicated by the replies made by Sir Austen Chamberlaini (Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs). It is understood that Germany is indicating to the Powers, through diplomatic channels, her' attitude to entering the League, with particular reference to the suggested allotment of other permanent seats. She will probably make it clear that she does not intend to reconsider .hei" attitude unless faced with accomplished facts. "Daily Chronicle's" Berlin correspondent says the opinion in Government circles is much calmer than those in the Press, which, in spite ol reassuring news from .London, remains disinclined to believe that the plot has been scotched. , Apparently, therefore, Germany s withdrawal, if it takes place, will be made dramatically at Geneva itself, only in the event of a proposal to increase the permanent seats being actually made.

SIRE. DRUMMOND AT BERLIN.

PURELY TECHNICAL BUSINESS, j (Renter.) (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) BERLIN, February 16. Sir Eric Drummond (Secretary-Gen-eral to the League of Nations) had a long conversation with Dr. Stresemann (German Foreign Minister). It is emphasised that Sir Erie has not come 'to Berlin to discuss the question ot the number of seats on the League Council, which is a matter tor the Governments concerned, but to confer with Dr. Stresemann on technical i questions connected with Germany s | entry into the League, for example, I the ceremony and procedure to be adopted at Geneva.