"OPENED TAMELY."

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18636, 10 March 1926, Page 9

"OPENED TAMELY."

LEAGUE ASSEMBLY MEETS, j M. BRIAND DISTURBED. (bt cable— press association—copyright.) (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received March 9th, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 9. The good ship, League of Nations, remains stranded until the return of M. Briand or his successor. Even then it -appears it must navigate troubled waters. M. Briand yesterday morning was tired and shaken. His nerves were unimproved by a slight mishap making the train from Geneva ninety minutes late. Curtly he dismissed journalists on arrival and speeded to the Elysee, where it is understood he told M-, Doumergue that France must have a new Government within forty-eight hours for financial reasons as well as for those concerning the League, but he flatly refused an invitation to attempt himself to form another. M. Doumergue, however, expected to renew the invitation this morning when M. Briand will probably have calmeo. down. In the meantime the Geneva Assembly opened tamely. Sir- Austen Chamberlain was appointed chairman of the committee, whose duty it is to consider Germany's application, whether she has fulfilled her international obligations and has given sufficient guarantees to do so in the future. Lord Cecil, with true Cecilian calm, sat at the lake side conversing with Dr. Nansen. Behind, the scenes, however, there is great activity, everyone trying, apparently, to discover how far the others are prepared to retreat. The only persons who are really calm besides Lord Cecil are Dr. Luther ana Dr. Stresemann, who are jtfst killing time and refuse to bargain, although it is stated that they threatened with pains and penalties that they were prepared to pack up and return home if there were nothing doing. QUALIFIED OPTIMISM. CBEUTEr'3 TELEGRAMS.) GENEVA, March 8. Qualified optimism is the nearest description to the atmosphere at the opening of the 29th session of the Council of the League of Nations, notwithstanding that yesterday's informal talks did not result in either side abandoning its viewpoint. Dominion representatives have no enthusiasm for an enlarged Council, feeling that in the end all will come right. Generally speaking, there is _ hope that a satisfactory solution will be reached when M. Briand, who has gone to Paris in connexion with the Cabinet crisis, returns on March 9th. SPIRIT OF LOCARNO. (EEUTZb's TSXEGBAM3.) (Received March 9th, 7.5 p.m.) GENEVA. March 8. Addressing the Assembly after his election as President, M. Da Costa (Portugal) dwelt on the new spirit of Locarno which had made to-day's fraternity and which to-morrow might extend to all nations on the earth. After electing Bis vice-presidents and the members of two committees, one of which will report on Germany's application for admission, the League Assembly adjourned sine die. There is great public interest in the proceedings, and the galleries were packed. AT LOGGERHEADS. (AUSTRALUN AHD N.Z. CABLB ASSOCIATIOH.) (Received March 9th, 11.45 p.m.), LONDON, March 9. Dr. Luther and Dr. Stresemann declared both at Geneva and at Berlin that they would withdraw if any other Power -were admitted to a permanent seat. It has been stated with equal emphasis that Spain and Poland will withdraw if not admitted, while M. Unden, ou behalf of Sweden, declared that he will veto the selection of any Power excepting Germany. Sweden will probably be joined in this attitude by Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, and Holland. * The French crisis will prove a blessing in disguise if the unexpected delay leads to a realisation of the true purpose for which the Assembly has been summoned. The "Morning Post's" Geneva correspondent states authoritatively that Sir Austen Chamberlain at the Dominions Conference failed to win over Ireland and Canada to his viewpoint. SECRET SESSION HELD. (AUSTRALIAN AKD N.Z. CABLB ASSOCIATION.) (Received March 9th, 11.5 p.m.) GENEVA, March 8. Conversations continued during the morning, but nothing is possible till M. Briand returns. Even then it is not probable that there will be any departure from the procedure already determined upon. It is not unlikely that a Commission will be formed to report in September on the changes in the Council. Meanwhile the present enlargement is limited to Germany. The Council held a secret session in the morning, but it was gathered that nothing important was discussed. TRIBUTE FOR LEAGUE^ (AUSTRALIAN «"> »•«• CABUi ASSOCIATION.) (Received March 9th, 11.5 p.m.) GENEVA, March 8. The animation in the lobbies of the Secretariat was unprecedented when the Council of the League opened .its private session to discuss the agenda, a huge gathering of journalists, in addition to the general public, all discussing possible solutions, of the question of the reconstitution of the Council. Xhe consensus of opinion is that Poland is A* present pf the,

running, and Spain and Brazil may give way to facilitate the entry of Germany, though both the latter declare that their attitude in claiming seats is not changed. An extraordinary session of the Assembly of the League opened in the afternoon, Viscount Ishii acting as president. In a speech he said the meeting of the Assembly at such short notice was unprecedented, but proved the efficiency of the League as an international business machine, while the event which brought the Assembly together, the most significant request of a great nation for admission to the League, was a sign of the strengthening hopes and consciences of the nations.