The Evening Star SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 1926. THE LEAGUE’S WRANGLE.

Evening Star, Issue 19197, 13 March 1926, Page 6

The Evening Star SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 1926. THE LEAGUE’S WRANGLE.

The old aspiration for a “ place in the sun,’' which had sinister effects before the war, has not been excluded from the League of Nations. Its members have shown no inclination as yet to humble themselves, in order that they may be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Instead there has been a struggle for the seats of power on the League’s Council, which is making much. trouble for its special session. Spain, Poland, and Brazil all desire permanent seats, and their competition has encouraged China to ask if she is less important than these. The League has had experience before of these rivalries, hut they were concerned formerly with the allocation of the non-permanent seats upon the Council; and as the prize was less dazzling and the contest free from complications and fears, which have been

caused now by Germany’s appearance on the scene, they were settled without danger to the League. In one sense they were not settled, hut shelved. A satisfactory method of selecting the six non-permanent members has not yet been evolved. Bj' a resolution which was passed in 1921, it was proposed that two of those should retire every year, making two vacancies to bo filled by every Assembly, Through lack of agreement between tho Powers, however, the resolution has not yet been fully ratified, with tho result that all six of tho non-permanent members have to retire each year and be re-elected or otherwise. China lost her seat two years ago, because it was regarded as anomalous that a country unable to from a Government of its own which could do anything for internal peace should assist in keeping the rest of the world in order. Her position is not improved in that respect at the present day. Poland strove hard for a scat at the 1923 Assembly, but did not get it. Her failure was not due to any want of zeal in wire-pulling. “Telegrams alleged to emanate from tho various European capitals,” it has been said, which appeared in tho Genova Press, “ ascribed to tho Governments of the countries in question an enthusiasm for Poland which in the past they had effectively disguised ; ” and the climax was a cablegram from Abyssinia stating that the Government of that distant and dusky realm was earnest in its support of Poland’s candidature on account of ancient ties. The present non-per-manent members of the Council are Uruguay (which received 43 votes in the election by last Assembly), Brazil (40), Czecho-Slovakia (40), Spain (36), Belgium (34), and Sweden (27). It is to be feared that they are national more than international ambitions which are causing so many countries to compete for new permanent seats on the executive body of the League. Spain protests that the rejection of her claim, which is five years old, would bo a slight on the nation’s dignity. ■ One would think that the title of -Spain to control the jvorld’s

.affairs, while she continues to have so much trouble 1 1. t It: - own, would bo sufficiently acknowledged by her possession of a non-permanent seat; but that is not the case. The contention of Poland would most probably be the same as that of the Escurial. But where does Brazil come in? The astonishing statement has been made on her behalf that she desires a seat only to keep it warm for the United States. It would bo delightful to have the assurance of the American Government that it is a party to that design, but it is to be feared that Brazil’s bright thought has been confined to her own mind. There has been no indication of the authorities at Washington being ready tp reverse their policy of abstention from the League of Nations. It would have been much better if no question of additions to the permanent soats had been raised at the present time. They could be early enough considered at the September Assembly, when Germany, as an admitted member, would have the same vote as others in pronouncing on them. A committee of the Assembly has reported unanimously in favor of her claims to bo admitted, but till this unnatural impasse has been straightened out there can be no certainty that she will enter. Sir Austen Chamberlain, divided between his desire for harmony and for Germany’s inclusion, on the one hand, and the necessity for observing his unfortunate commitment to M. Briand, in favor of more appointments, on the other, has been evidently less than happy at this conference. Correspondents have noted that ho no longer smiles, but glares stonily through his monoclo. M. Briand should relievo him of his personal obligation. The indications are that a satisfactory out-, come will only bo obtained for tho present meetings by persuading other countries to defer their claims.