LEAGUE MEMBERSHIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 292, 7 December 1920, Page 4

LEAGUE MEMBERSHIP.

The action of the Argentine in threatening to withdraw from the League of 'NTatiOns unless its amendments are accepted is co curious that naturally there is a search for an ulterior motive. The man who threatens to withdraw from some society or other becaiu6e he cannot get his own way j s a wefl-known type, "but one e.vpects something better from the Government of the leading South American State at the first full meeting of the League of Nations. The main Argentine amendment would apparently have the effect of altering the Constitution of the League so ac to admit every country unconditionally. The Covenant was drawn up by the Allies in the 'hour of victory, aiid to protect themselves they provided than any selfgoverning State other than an- original signatory might become a. member of the League if its admission wae agreed to 'by tiwo-thirde of the Assembly, provided that it gave •'effective guarantees of its sincere intention to observe its international obligations." This was aimed at

«ireniy countries, and -especially at Germany, and can one blame the Allies for not being willing to accept Germany ac a ■fellow-member unconditionally? The condition imposed was an obvious precaution against the immediate admission of an unrepentant Germany bent on using the League for its own purposes. There are many men of weight who think that the admission of Germany and Russia/—to say nothing of the United States—is necessary if ihe 'League is to be what its friends hope it will be. Already the admission of Austria has been recommended by the commission set Tip to consider applications, and it is reported that the same course has been taken respecting Bulgaria, which suggests that the Allies are taking a liberal view of the question. What makes the Argentine's action so peculiar is that it has been taken t>y a nejjtral at the fir.*t meeting of the League. One would think that under the circumstances a neirtral would be content with Ibrin-ging forward amendments, and having been unsuccessful would let the matter rest for a year. The threat oi withdra-wal —full secession, by the way, requires two years' notice under the Covenant —suggests that there are other forces working behind the scenes, and the knowledge that, German influence is powerful in the Argentine raises the suspicion that these may be German. It is to be hoped that the difference is coon healed. Obviously every nation cannot al-ways get its own way on the Lea-STie of Nations, and if it proceeds on the contrary conviction, the League will fly ot fall to pieces.