POLICY AT GENEVA.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 49, 27 February 1926, Page 9

POLICY AT GENEVA.

NOT DECIDED YET. CONSULTING THE DOMINIONS. IS CABINET UNITED ? (By Cable. —Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, February 26. The "Evening Standard's" diplomatic correspondent hints that Sir Austen Chamberlain is favourable to Poland's entry to the League Council, but that some of his colleagues are opposed to it. However, the Ministry, before deciding •what policy Sir Austen Chamberlain is to follow at Geneva, is busy in diplomatic channels and is also fully consulting the Dominions which, it is understood, are strongly against any admittance to the Council, except that of Germany. A similar view is held by Japan.— (A. and N.Z.) PSYCHOLOGY OF LOCARNO. GOODWILL AND CONFIDENCE. (Received 11 a.m.) LONDON, February 20. Dr. Stresemann, the German Foreign Minister, writing for the "Morning Post's" series of world articles, reveals that it was the London Conference of August,, 1924, from which the Dawes plan emerged, that induced him to issue his security memorandum in February, 1925, which in turn led to the Locarno Conference. He expresses the opinion that the general psychological significance of Locarno is more important than its practical application, "We are standing," says Dr. Stresemann, "at the gate of a new era. If all the nations are animated by goodwill to continue working together on the basis of Locarno, we are sure to reach the great goal of the pacification of Europe and the replacement of political distrust by mutual confidence."—(A .and N.Z.) BOMBSHELL FOR GERMANY. PRESS IN A PANIC. GOVERNMENT NOT DISTURBED. BERLIN, February 25. Nothing short of consternation describes the Berlin Press reception of Sir Austen Chamberlain's speech, from which they deduce the certainty that Britain will support the French argument at Geneva. The papers emphatically assert that, if Dr. Luther and Dr. Stresemann are confronted with a fait accompli, in the form of an extended Council, Germany will unhesitatingly withdraw her application for admittance to the League. ■The "Taeglicher Rundschau," which is generally Dr. Stresemann's mouthpiece, says: "France and Britain can do as they like, but if they persist in the intention of extending the Council, they will have to dispense with Germany's participation." On the other hand, Government circles ■betray no perturbation and are credited with being confident that everything will proceed smoothly, and that Germany alone will be given a seat on the Council, and that further reconstruction will not be settled before the September session, when Germany is ready to discuss the question in a spirit of conciliation. —(Reuter.) MR. MacDONAXD'S IDEA. LONDON, February 25. It ie generally considered that the situation in regard to the composition of the Council of the League of Nations has been confused instead of clarified by Sir Austen Chamberlain's speeth at Birmingham. It is stated in political circles that whatever the case may be for the reconstitution of the Coun.->il thi3 is an unfortunate time at which to raise the question. The leader of the Labour party, Mr. Ramsay MacDonnld, in an interview published in the "Daily Herald' ,, insi c ts that the question should be entirely soparated from that of the admittance of Germany. He suggests that after Germany has joined the League the Council might invite a committee of outside international representatives to report on the subject.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) "NOT THE WAY." PLEA FOR MUTUAL TRUST. LONDON, February 25. Continuing his-remarks in the Lords, in the debate on Lord Parmoor's motion that it was not desirable to increase the membership of the League Council, Lord Cecil agreed that the balancing of rival interests would lie disastrous to the League Council. He assured the House that no action of the British Government would be dictated by distrust or suspicion of any nation. He deprecated the kind of language used in some countries regarding what would happen if this or that were not done. That was not the way to approach League problems. He appealed to the House not to tie the Government's hands. Lord Parmoor withdrew his motion. (A. and N.Z. Cable.)