LEAGUE ASSEMBLY

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 121, 16 February 1926, Page 7

LEAGUE ASSEMBLY

BUSINESS AT NEXT MEETING

MAY BE CONFINED TO GERMANY'S APPLICATION

ATM OF FRENCH DIPLO-

MACY

A controversy has arisen as to whether the question of admitting any other Power than Germany to a seat on the Council of the League of Nations can be considered by the Assembly at its meeting next month.

Bi Telegraph—Prbs= AssociationCopyright.

London, February 14.

It is uncertain Jet whether the 'question of admitting to a permanent seat at Geneva any other Power than Germany can be considered by the- League of Nations Assembly at its extraordinary meeting lummoned for March b. The opinion inclines to be that only Germany's application can be considered, and that other cases must be considered at the regular Assembly in the autumn. The “Observer’s” diplomatic correspondent emphasises the gravity of the new issues, and says that the Bntisn Government will hold firmly that the extraordinary session of the Assembly on March 8 is solely for the purpose of admitting Germany. Berlin messages indicate that Germany also takes this point cf view, and argues that Germany must be admitted as a member of the League as it is at present constituted, so that Germany will be in a position to vote later regarding the admission of other Powers, if any. The “Observer” continues that French diplomacy has sought to counter Germany’s entry by packing the Council with new permanent members (Poland, Spain, and Brazil), but this is entirely a new issue. The British policy will, says the be determined solely by loyalty to the Locarno idea, and the honest restoration to Germany of the full status of a European Great Power. The paper hints that a British statement may be expected to make the position clear if the manoeuvres for the simultaneous consideration of the cases of Germany, Spain, Poland, and Brazil are pressed imperatively. In the meantime there is a significant report that Sir Eric Drummond is going to Berlin to-day in order to discuss the position with Dr. Stresseniann. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Berlin, February 12. “Breach of faith” is how Dr. Stresemanti’s newspaper, “Taglische Rundschau,” describes the proposed creation of new League Council seats, which is regarded as creating an entirely new situation. The “Taglische Rundschau,” which usually presents tlie official attitude, declares that Germany would not hesitate to withdraw her application for League membership in tlie face of such disloyal procedure.—" The Tinies.” RACE BETWEEN GERMANY AND POLAND DANGER TO LOCARNO PACT

(Rec. February 15, 8.15 p.m.) London, February 15. The "Daily Express” says there is a race between Germany and Poland -to secure a seat on the Council of the League of Nations. Whichever achieves its end first: will be able, by a negative vote, to prevent the admission of the other. It is believed that when Germany’s request is considered on March 3, France will oppose it unless Poland’s request is granted. At the same time, should France’s puppets be admitted, the Council will be dominated by France, which will compel Germany to reconsider her position in connection with the Locarno Pact, which thus will be in danger, as, if there is a balancing of influences on the Council against Germany, the latter will not join, and the Pact will be dead. Poland always has been a thorn in the side of the League, defying its authority and flouting its decisions.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. RUSSIA AND SWITZERLAND DISPUTE NOT SETTLED London, February 14. The Russo-Swiss reconciliation, on which depends the Soviet s participation in the League Disarmament Conference, is making little headway, judging by Moscow’s official statement which blames the Swiss attitude for the failure to settle the dispute through the medium of France. It declares that Switzerland insisted in eliminating from the text of its declaration anything that could be interpreted as an unqualified expression of regret for the assassination of Vorovsky, and refused to consent to any formula establishing an agreement to compensate Vorovsky’s daughter. The Soviet statement, however, gratefully acknowledges the efforts of the French Government. — Reuter.

RUSSIA’S ABSENCE FROM ARMS CONFERENCE Moscow, February 14. M. Tchitcherin’s reply to the League’s invitation to participate in the preparatory meeting of the Disarmament Conference in Swiss territory, pending the settlement of its conflict with Switzerland, hopes the obstacles will be eliminated; otherwise the Soviet will hold the Council of the League responsible for its exclusion.—■ Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.