NO HESITATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 229, 27 September 1935, Page 7

NO HESITATION.

COUNCIL MEMBERS.

Powers Determined To Keep Collective Peace. LEAGUE AT STAKE. British Official Wireless. (Received 1.30 p.m.) RUGBY, September 20. When the League public session opened all the States-members of the Council, with the exception of Italy, were represented. It is understood the Italian delegate's absence was duo to Italy's refusal to sit at the Council table when Abyssinia is given that privilege. Sonor de Madariaga, having read the report of the Committee of Five, Dr. Hawariat stated that his Government would certainly consider with the greatest attention any suggestion made by the League Council. Senor Guinazu (Argentine), President of the Council, then proposed that the Committee of Five should remain in being in order to be ready to make suggestions at any time they were called upon to do so. He urged that all efforts at conciliation should be continued. "The thoughts of the two parties arc now known, therefore I propose that the Council should take immediate steps to draft a report under Article XV., paragraph 4, of the Covenant. The Council, sitting as a committee, without, of course, the Italian delegate, should be entrusted with that task." The President also proposed that the session of the Council should not be closed, but should remain in being until the report had been drafted. British Attitude Firm. Mr. Eden expressed regret that despite the sincerity of the efforts made no solution had been reached. He recalled that on September 4 he expressed the view that the machinery of the League should be brought into use, and he now suggested Article XV., paragraph 4, should be employed as a means of solving the problem. "This is the task upon which we will engage with all the strenuousness and attention which it is possible to command, but also without undue delay, this procedure, the further advantage to which the President liad very properly drawn attention. "So long,as the Council was engaged in drawing up its report and recommendations the work of conciliation would continue, and clearly no opportunity for such conciliation within the terms of the Covenant should be missed. While the work of drafting the report is progressing, Governments would have an opportunity to consider whether, and if so, how anything further can be done to safeguard peace.

"This is an obligation which members of the League will not overlook. I will end with one word upon the wider issues of this dispute. The policy of the British Government in this respect has been recently and authoritatively declared. I need therefore only add that by that policy the Government is seriously determined to abide." M. Laval's Support. M. Laval supported Mr. Eden. He said: "France will adhere to the obligations of the Covenant. The Council will now abide by the Covenant and formulate its recommendations. I also agree on that point with the representative of Britain. "The Council will accomplish this task in the spirit and letter of the Covenant, .d will, I am sure, after having reviewed the circumstances of the dispute, indicate the methods which it will judge most equitable." Russia Has No Doubts. M. Litvinoff said that there could be no doubt as to measures the Soviet Government would take when the time came to safeguard peace in Africa and in other parts of the world. M. Munch (Denmark), in supporting the previous speakers, said he was convinced the Council would know how to indicate the best means of maintaining peace as well as the principles of the League of Nations.