LEAGUE IN PERIL

Evening Star, Issue 19198, 15 March 1926, Page 6

LEAGUE IN PERIL

CHAMBERLAIN'S “ FREE HAND" CANDID CRITICISM Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, March 14. (Received March 15, at 10 a.m.) Tho ‘Daily Chronicle’ says; “This, then, is the outcome of Sir Austen Chamberlain’s free hand. The unseemly wrangle would never have occurred if the Government had adopted tho attitude that British opinion unanimously favors. Despite Mr Baldwin’s assurances to the contrary, it is clear that Sir Austen Chamberlain has been supporting French intrigue all the week. It is one of tho most shameful and futile gestures of British diplomacy since the days of Charles ll.”—Syclncy ‘ Sun ’ Cable. (Received March 15, at 10.30 a-.ni.) Though some of the delegates at Geneva are outspokenly laying the blame on Germany, tbo feeling in Britain is somewhat different, and people are asking why Mr Baldwin permits the scandal to continue. —Sydney ‘ Sun ’ Cable. GERMANY’ STAND. BERLIN, March 14. (Received March 15, at 10 a.m.) The German position is explained in a semi-official statement, which says that after careful consideration the German delegates have decided that it would bo impossible for Germany in the matter of her entry into the League to depart from fundamental principles or to give a binding undertaking regarding her future policy in the League, particularly in view of the efforts of some of the members of tho League. Reuter. WAITING FOR AN ANSWER. GENEVA, March 14. (Received March 15, at 10.30 a.m.) Interviewed, the German delegates said; “If wo aro elected we shall stay; otherwise wo go.” They declared that there was no question of their leaving Geneva. They were awaiting an answer to tho questions that they had put. They expected tho Council to decide whether the promise made to Germany was to be carried out or not.—Reuter. SUGGESTION OF COMPROMISE. LONDON, March 14. (Received March 15, at 9.45 a.m.) Apparently President Hindenburg suggested a compromise, for _ upon receiving a telegram from Berlin Dr Luther rushed hotfoot_ to Sir Austen Chamberlain’s hotel with the nows. Sydney 1 Sun’ CableFRENCH COMMENTS. PARIS, March 14. (Received March 15, at 10 a.m.) “If a breakdown occurs at Geneva tho Germans alone will be responsible, is the unanimous opinion of the newspapers, which point out that toe Allies have gone to the extreme limit in tho way of concession. 1 Lo Journal’s ’ Geneva correspondent complains that tho Germans have shown no signs of genuine goodwill. The ‘ Echo dc Paris ’ thinks that the curtain is far from being rung down at Geneva, and adds: “There is even ground for fear that as a result of the previous agreement between France and the other Powers the League Council may automatically be compelled by virtue of tho agenda for tho session to declare itself in favor of the admission of Germany.” A correspondent suggests that Franco will nob oppose Germany's entry in the face of the Locarno Pact, and the risk of incurring the reproaches of the whole of the Anglo-Saxon race. He mentions that the Italian delegate" stated _ that Signor Mussolini had instructed him to vote for Germany, and concludes by suggesting that France must bo dragged along tho same path.—Reuter.

LEAGUE’S ERESTIGE ENDANGERED.

GENEVA, March 14, {Received March 15, at 10 a.m.)

■ The dominions’ representatives _ are reluctai.s to discuss publicly the delicate situation, though all are impressed with the fact that Sir Austen Chamberlain lost bis. oppoftunity during the week to keep close in touch with them,_ and report every development. While it is pretty clear that tho dominions’ representatives do not view with favor tho expansion of the Council, they are generally disinclined to take a tragic view of "tho developments, but they do not disguise their fear regarding tho prestige of the League if matters are allowed to drift.—Reuter. A MOSCOW OPINION. LONDON, March 14. (Received March 15, at 10.30 a.m.) The Riga correspondent of ‘ The Times’ says that new light is thrown on tho Soviet’s attitude towards tho League of Nations by M. Rykoff (President of tho Council of Connuissiouers), who, speaking in Leningrad, pointed out that two distinct forces wore endeavoring to unify Europe.— namely, the League of Nations and Moscow. Ho expressed the opinion that both had chances of success, but that Moscow was more likely to secure the victory, because she was seeking a united trade union front, whereas the clashing capitalist interests of the various countries would spoil the League’s chances. Nevertheless, M. Rykoff predicted a considerable period of European peace, and declared that if Russia was enabled to participate in tho Disarmament Conference she would introduce far-reaching proposals for the decrease of her armies and tho curtailment or the prohibition of the manufacture of armaments. ‘The Times.’ EFFORTS TO REACH SETTLEMENT. GENEVA, March 14. (Received March 15, at noon.) After an informal three hours’ meeting the members adjourned till to-mor--10 A meeting of the Assembly for tho purpose oT voting on tho entry of Germany to tho League has been fixed for March 16. . , M. Vanderveldo, when leaving tho Council, declared that a fresh effort would ho made to-morrow to reach a solution, as it wouldbe humiliating for all to return home if tho work at Locarno had been endangered. He added that, should no solution be reached before March 16, the position would be explained to the Assembly and tho latter’s opinion obtained. —Sydney ‘ Sun ’ Cable.