LEAVING THE LEAGUE

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 150, 28 June 1938, Page 20

LEAVING THE LEAGUE

| CHILE'S COURSE EXPLAINED President Alessandri, in opening the Chilean Congress for the last time after six years in office, explained the reasons for Chile's withdrawal from the League of Nations, said "The Times" on May . 26. Chile, he said, had never deviated from her loyalty to the League and her determination to meet all the obligations which she had incurred as a member. But events had finally brought the conviction that it would be unable to achieve its aims under its present organisation. The reform of the Covenant advocated by Chile had scarcely received a hearing, and . . . he therefore felt it to be his duty to give notice of withdrawal from the League and so free Chile from the risk of being drawn to no purpose into far-distant conflicts. He sincerely hoped that within the period of two years necessary to give effect to their withdrawal a new collective spirit would have manifested itself, so that this regrettable step might be averted. , Dealing with affairs nearer home ;he President observed that the recent /isit of the Argentine Chancellor, 3enor J. Cantilo, had enabled the quesion of the islands south of the Beagle Channel to be submitted to arbitraion. Chile's economic recovery had >een most satisfactory; exports had isen largely and imports had ad■anced normally. The Compensation Vgreements had worked well, and on ipril 30 almost the whole of the frozen" credits had been paid. The ast Budget proposed by him, the Preident said, would be properly balanced nd the external debt' had been reuced since he took office by 61,000,000 ollars. GUATEMALA LEAVES. The President, who retires in Deember, said in conclusion:— It is particularly gratifying to record lat we are on friendly terms, with 11 countries and particularly with our merican neighbours. It may be ''that >me people will criticise the use of ;ceipts from the copper and nitrate idustries for the reduction of the exirnal debt. But nations, like indiiduals, live by a moral prestige, and ie payment of debts is a duty. Public ■edit is essential to the progress of ie nation and to its salvation. This rnntry is recognised as a model of ■dered prosperity by all who regard impartially from outside. The retirement of Guatemala from e League of Nations, announced two iars ago, became effective at midght, Guatemala having fulfilled all :r responsibilities, including the payent of subscriptions. Guatemala was an original member the League. Her intended retire:nt was announced in 1936 as being e both to financial stringencies and events which have shown the im- . ssibility of reaching the high ideals 4 it were held when thfe League was oi mded.