LEAGUE ASSEMBLY

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 298, 15 September 1927, Page 9

LEAGUE ASSEMBLY

BRITISH ATTITUDE TO PROTOCOL

DISCUSSED BY SIR AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

OPTIMISM REGARDING FUTURE

September 13.

Sir Austen Chamberlain received about 250 journalists from all parts of the world at his hotel in Geneva last evening, and discussed some of the questions which had arisen during the present Assembly. He realised that the entire Assembly could not be expected to adopt the view expressed by him in his speech on Saturday, but he impressed on his hearers that, from the Englishman’s standpoint it was a reasonable atitude, for the British Empire was unwilling to make engagements she might lie unable to fulfil. It was unlikely that members of the League would be in agreement for a long time on the question of the Protocol, and he did not see any advantage in proceeding with a discussion which, to his mind, would not bring about any further success or practical results. That was not because as an Englishman he looked only on the practical side of things, nor was it because as an Englishman he questioned the ideals of the League.

“We have based all our foreign policy aud our foreign relations on the League,” he said. “All our foreign relations are inspired by the ideals of the League, and we are always willing to help as much as we possibly can in a policy of general appeasement and of peace between neighbours.” Britain, he continued had no compromise to make in the matter of her policy, which was * that of attaining the gradual establishment of friendly relations between nations. Anywhere where Britain had been able to better the world she had done so. Everywhere her influence had been placed at the service of' the League of Nations. Every year after every League meeting war became more difficult to launch and more difficult to jusitfy. We had not yet reached the point where war was impossible, but a nation which would make war without the consent of the League would start on a dangerous path that would cost it very dearly. “If we look back ten years we can see the progress that has been made, and on account of that ■ progress it is difficult to understand the uneasiness which marked the beginning of the Assembly, but which was dissipated aS the debates proceeded. At Locarno, before to day of the Treaty signature, I said to British journalists that I was soberly optimistic. To-day I am soberly optimistic and have confidence in the League’s future. Let us base that confidence on facts. My country will do all it can.’’—British Official Wireless.

DOMINIONS AND PROTOCOL

MR. MACDONALD'S VIEWS BY Telegraph.— Press Association. Copyright.

(Rec. September 14, 7.35 p.m.) London, September 13.

Mr. J. R. MacDonald in a letter in the “Daily Herald” says: “The debates at Geneva cause great concern. I doubt if ever in our time Britain has been put in a more awkward position as a Continental Power. . Air. Dandurand’s speech also shows that Sir Austen Chamberlain’s statement was untrue. Delegates from the Dominions in 1924 unanimously accepted the idea of the Protocol. We have now to find how far the Dominions can be accommodated to a common Empire policy which can be fitted with the Protocol idea. I favour a Commission of the League being appointed to consider the draft 1924 treaty. In the meantime we should secure consultation with the Dominions, even if necessary by a special session of the Imperial Conference to discuss the obligations which the Protocol imposes on the Empire and consider an optional clause setting up The Hague Court.”

THE LEAGUE’S BUDGET (Rec. September 14, 10.5 p.m.) London, September 14. The Geneva correspondent of “The Times” states that 'the League’s Budget for 1928 is £987,000, an increase of 1.4 per cent, over that of 1927. < The expenses of'the Geneva secretariat and offices in various capitals absorb £532,000; the International Labour Office, £330,000; the Hague Court of Justice, £86,000; buildings at Geneva, £54,000. The cost of the Assembly in 1928 is estimated at £116,000; the Council meetings, £3000; and commissions and conferences, £75,000. —“The Times.” GREEK LOAN APPROVED Geneva, September 13. Sir Austen Chamberlain, M. Boncourt, and Signor Scialoja have approved the Greek loan.