THE LEAGUE.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 17018, 15 December 1920, Page 7

THE LEAGUE.

« BASIS OF CONTRIBUTIONS. (By Cable—Preas —Copyright.) lAustiuliau ant] Association.) GENEVA, December 13. The Hon. E. IX Milieu, speaking at the meeting of the Budget Commission, questioned -whether Mr .J. H. Thomas's explanat on of the Labour organisation's expenditure satisfied anyone. The rapidity with which expenditure v.-as increasing might soon find the League faced with a £2,000,000 budget. Australia's contributions were unfair and unjust, and would cause Parliament tc scan tiie expenditure minutely. He suggested that an advancc copy of the Budget should iea.li the different State; at least six weeks before the session, anv later alterations to be notified by cable. The Rt. Hon. N. W. Rowell (Canada) protested against the action of the London conference between Mr Lloy-. Georgo and M. Leygues in regard to Armenia. He declared that the admission of new States was being settled at Geneva, not in London, Paris, or in Rome. Lord Robert Cecil and Dr. Nansen supported Mr Rowcll. It was decided to retain the Postal Convention scheme as a basis for contributions in 1921. The Budget Committee was appointed to draft a scheme for equitable payments in tho 1922 Budget. The Assembly examined the report of the Commission of Jurists on tho International Court of Justice. Several membersof the Commission were stronglv of opinion that the Court could be established only by a protocol, not by a resolution of tho Assemblv. - Others fen rod that this would establish a harmful precedent. The Commission finally agreed that it was possible to submit tho # constitution of the Court to the various Governments for their approval without creating a precedent. When the protocol was signed bv a majority, the Court would come into being. The Commission agreed . that when Labour questions camc before the Court a special chamber of five judges should be constituted and should bo assisted by four technical advisers without the right to vpte. The nations signing the protocol may, at any time, declare in favour of compulsory jurisdiction, without a special agreement, In relation to any other State affecting the same obligation. INTERNATIONAL COURT. (Received December 14th, 7.40 p.m.) GENEVA, December 13. Tho German Foreign Minister has written to tho League refusing to recognise the Council's derision regarding tho plebiscite in connexion with Eupen and Malmedy. Ho declares that the decision rests with'the Assembly alone, and furnished proofs that the vote was determined by intimidation, abuse, official power, and threats of reprisals. Germany therefore expectß the plebiscite to be declared invalicl. The Hon. E. D. Millen gave a luncheon to the British delegation. The Assembly debate on tho International Court occupied the morning and afternoon sittings, and was confined entirely to the delegates from the smaller nations, who regretted that its jurisdiction had not been made compulsory. The delegate from Panama pointed out that no measures had been devised to, enforce the decrees of the Court. Mr Balfour said that bv implication it had been suggested that some of the great powers were obstructing the fuM development of the Court. The names of Great Britain and France were mentioned in this respect. Speaking for Great Britain he sa'd she ardently supported the new Court, but preferred voluntary to compulsory jurisdiction. If tho Court was to be successful "they must allow its .free growth, which was the secret of the«permanent success of a_ Court created to administer International law, which itself was ever changing and growing. If, in a hasty spirit, thev tried to force nations into the Eenorue's mould, the latter would break and inflict a fatal blow on the greatest instrument the world had yet contrived for rarrying out InterhaVo'nnl justice. Tho Assembly unanimously adopted the report on International Courts..