VITAL ISSUES RAISED

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 37, 12 February 1926, Page 9

VITAL ISSUES RAISED

BY GERMANY'S APPLICATION

FBBNCH MOVE TO CONTBOL

COUNCIL.

(United Press Association—Copyright.) (Australian-New Zealand Cable Assn.) (Eeccived 12th February, 11 a-m.)

LONDON, 11th February.

The "Daily Telegraph's" diplomat!* correspondent, in an important article, headed, "The Coming Crisis in the League of Nations," says that members of the British Cabinet and diplomatic and legal experts are daily consulting regarding the great and deli* eate issues raised by Germany's application to enter the League, which has given rise to a momentous diplomat!* struggfe in the Chancelleries of Europe, and even in the League's lobbies.

France, supported by various Power*, is leading a movement designed to increase the permanent seats in the Council by the addition of Spain, Portagalt and possibly Brazil, and thereafter to increase the full personnel of tb* Council to fifteen.

The immediate primary object of the movement is to offset the effect of Germany's presence, neutralising it beforehand by the consolidation of am overwhelming anti-German majority* The ultimate consequence of the move* ment, if it succeeded, would be more serious, for it would thereafter weaken Britain's position in the League, and might completely transform it* purpose, character, and structure. Permanent Majority. The permanent majority for a TtwmK policy which the promoters are seeking to create in the League Council woold consist of the following categories:— (1) Countries with special military 1, pacts with France, namely, Belgium, Poland, and Czecho-Sloyakia; (8) Latin States, with cultural affinities - with France, like Spain, Brazil, asd, at present, even Italy, owing to h*r dispute with Germany; (3) countries at present represented in the Ooueil by their Ambassadors at Paris, namely, Japan, Spain, Brazil, and Urn. ' quay, now nick named "the Paria vote." Apart from. Japan, the** always see European preblema through Paris spectacles. Though at present.. the Council votes moat b* unanimous, it is difficult in practise) for one or two countries to stand eat against the rest. The movement further aim* at •*> abling majority, instead of nnaaimova, decisions to be given on important issues. In a nutshell, these totalled "reformers" want to assure themselves, in the first place, a permanent de faeU majority in the Council, which they will subsequently convert by amendment*' into a de jure majority. It is not difficult to see how this Latin-Western Slav coalition, apart from German problems, could plae* Britain- and 1 Sweden and, possibly, occasion ally Belgium and Japan, in a kind of perpetual, hopeless minority at last. This would be intolerable, oo*sidering the population resowees and civilisation of the British Empire and its contribution, spiritual and —«—*i^ to jthe maintenance of the League.