DECISIONS OF LEAGUE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 253, 24 October 1919, Page 5

DECISIONS OF LEAGUE.

BINDING ON GERMANY. IF AMERICA DOES WOT RATIFY. RESERVATIONS TO TREATY. ASSENT OF OTHER POWERS. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received 10.10 a.m.) WASHINGTON, October 23. _It is improbable that the League of Nations will meet in Washington before January, while it is more likely that the first meeting will be in February. After the first meeting it will probably be suggested that the annual meetings be subsequently held iv the European capitals in rotation. lv view of the delay in ratification by America the interesting point arises whether Germany could refuse to abide by the League's decision if any signatories of the Peace Treaty declined to participate in the League." An eminent Dutch jurist furnished the opinion that Germany, by signing and ratifying the: treaty, waived her right to object to the League, even if any other nation did not ratify it. Legal" opinion is that it is impossible to maintain that the League could only come into force by the adhesion of all the signatories. There are many reasons why incomplete council meetings may be "held, but Germany would have to" recognise the decisions even of an incomplete council. She might have had grounds for objection if the League's covenant had been an agreement apart from the Peace Treaty. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed a vote providing that the American reservations to the Peace Treaty require the assent of other Powers. Mr. O. S. Straus, former Ambassador to Turkey, in a speech to-day said that if America sent the treaty back with amendments or drastic reservations that action would compel Britain, in order to agree to them, to exclude from the League assembly Dominions such as Australia and Canada, whose valiant! armies contributed materially to winning the war, and whose ideals of liberty were akin to those of America.— (\ and N.Z. Cable.) FURTHER RESERVATIONS. APPROVAL OP CONGRESS. (Received 9.45 a.m.) WASHINGTON. October 23. The Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate has adopted the following further reservations to the treaties of peace:— ( 11 Congressional approval of the i mandatories accepted by the United States and of the Shantung settlement. ; (21 Congressional approval of the | decisions of the Reparation CommisI sioii's decisions concerning GermanAmerican trade. (3) Congressional approval of the United States contributions to the expenses of the League of Nations. (4) Reservation by the United States of the right to increase armaments when threatened with invasion or engaged in war. (-"">) Reservation of the right to refuse to participate in any boycott established under article l(i of the League's* covenant.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.)