CONFLICT AND CLAMOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 51, 2 March 1926, Page 7

CONFLICT AND CLAMOUR.

SCRAMBLE FOR SEATS.

WHERE IS LOCARNO SPIRIT? "PEACE CONFERENCE" NEEDED. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) LONDON, March 1. The Geneva correspondent of the "Morning Post" says that irreconcilable arc the views held in European capitals regarding the future composition of the Council of the League of Nations, that a second "Locarno" will have to be held at Geneva before the special meeting of the Council, in order that accord may be reached before Germany's application for membership is formally presented.

League circles are of opinion that the admittance of Spain, Brazil and Poland now rests with the Gorman delegates. The French Premier, M. Briand, will not press his demands if the German Foreign Minister, Herr ftresemann, is adamant.

In arguing for Poland's inclusion the French delegates declare that while Poland is outside the League they are continually forced to fight Warsaw's battles. Certain British Dominions oppose seats beincr given to any State except Germany, but there is a move in favour of a non-permanent scat for the Dominions which would he rotated among them annually.— (Reuter-"Run.") "PACKING THE COUNCIL." SMUTS SUMS UP POSITION.. LONDON, February 21. General -T. C. Smuts. ex-Prime Minister, and now Leader of the <~>ppnsition in South Africa, declare?, in response to an invitation from the "Daily Xews," for an expression of Tiis views, that Iho suggpsted pnlarremonf of the League, -of Nations would constitute a device to pack the Council, thus dealing a smashing blow at both the League and the Locarno Pact, and injuring the League, which often Tiad been lamentably weak, more than nil the failures of the past five vpars. "The T.en<rnc's defenders." he says, "must veto this proposal for the purpose of retaining Europe's last hope of peace. The Locarno treaties at present are in thp mpltincr pot. and thpir spirit may suddenly be changed, blighting all our new-born hopes.

"Germany's masrnifirpnt nffir of conciliation Tiffs opened n now chapter for Enropp. She has voluntarily and finnllv renounced Alsace-Lorraine. Should others he asked to pun ran tec the French frontiers if treats that renunciation li<rhtlv? Tbp Frnneo-German situation rpquirea honourable dealinc and scrunulous regard for the proprieties. "The Locarno negotiations becran as a ppntiemnn's business, nnrl should be completed in the samp spirit." LUXURY TAXES INCREASED. PART?. March 1. The Senatp hns adopted M. Donmer's proposals for inerensincr the duties on tobacco and alroliol.— (A. and X.Z.)