THE LEAGUE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18195, 4 October 1924, Page 13

THE LEAGUE.

SITTINGS CONCLUDED. ARBITRATION PROTOCOL ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY. (BT CABI.F,—TRESS ASSOCIATlON H T -' \ACSTSALIAS AND NZ. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) GENEVA. October 2. The Assembly of the League of Nations has concluded it? sitting.-. It put its seal to an historic episode by unanimously adopting a series of resolutions formally launching the 1 rcv tocol to the Covenant, providing for irjrrnational arbitration, and urging inMiibcrs to support the disarmament proposals. Thirtv-sevcn States voted, and there were no abstentions. TO GO BEFORE PARLIAMENT. PROTOCOL NOT BINDING UNTIL j RATIFIED. (.KIUTSa'S TELEQIUStS.) LONDON", October 2. Replying to questions in tlio House of Commons on the subject, of the Geneva. Conference. Mr J. 1'• Clynes (Deputy-Leader of the House of Commons) said ho could only say the Piotoeol of Arbitration and Disarmament was not binding on any Government unit formally approved. The British representative at Geneva had made it clear that approval could only be given after full consideration by Parliament. An opportunity would be given for discussion as soon as possible. Mr Clynes said it was not merely proper, but necessary, to supply, for the purpose o* the Parliamentary discussion, a clear statement of the policy of the British delegation at Geneva. Asked regarding the use of the British Fleet, and whether steps had been taken to obtaiu the advice of the Admiralty on the subject, Mr Clynes asked that notice bo given of the question. REACHING TOO FAR. "THE TIMES" CRITICISES PROTOCOL. ("the IWI?.") LONDON, October 2. "The Times," referring to the Amended Protocol adopted at Geneva, says that the League of Nations has undertaken u world-wide work before it is a world-wide institution. The British. Empire is the most likely to feel the consequences of this defect. "The Protocol," declares "The Times," "still remains essentially the product of Continental minds. THe technical details have been largelymoulded by the lawyers and diplomatists of Central Europe, "and the driving force has been the French delegation, who have seen an opportunity for completing their network of alliances by the inclusion of Great Britain, which now stands more or less committed to assist France and any of lier Cientral European allies if any provisions of the Treaty of Versailles are anywhere violently infringed." CHINESE WALK OUT. NO SEAT ON COUNCIL. (AUSTRALIAN AND W.S. CABLE ASSOCIATION) GENEVA, October 2. Before the Assembly of the League of Nations closed Uruguay, Brazil, Czechoslovakia, Spa-in, Belgium, and Sweden were elected non-permanent members of the Council, whereupon, tho Chines© delegation bodily left the hall. China scoured 14 votes in favour of election to a sent on the Council. [ln pursuance of a resolution of the Chinese Parliament, the CUiinese delegation at Geneva has been pressing for the re-election of China to a seat on the Council of the League of Nations. Failing this concession, China threatened to withdraw from the League.] ITALY ACCEPTS EIGHT-HOUR DAY. (austeaiiah aw> jt.z. cable association) GENEVA, October 2. Signor Mussolini has communicated to the League of Nations Italy's ratification of the Washington eight-hour convention, conditionally on the principal European Powers also ratifying it.