LEAGUE’S MEETING

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 March 1926, Page 5

LEAGUE’S MEETING

A PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION.< .. ■'/ ' ■ NO AGREEMENT YET. • ■ •. - . ■ 1 1 < ' ■ I .. 4 “ (Reuter.) (By Cable—Press Assn.—Copyright.) 1 ■ •■-. ■ ■’ ■ ’ ' , 4 , / GENEVA, March 7. Prior to the League meeting, the representatives of the countries which net at ijocanfb to negotiate the Rhineland Pact, met to exchange views on questions; on tlrn agenda. A communique, issued 'after the meeting, stated that’ no difficulty was expenenCEft’ in making clear their reciprocal positions, and adding, that this first exchange of views will be followed by fresh conversations. Six Austen Chamberlain subsequently stated: “We had a free, full, and frank talk as to LocArno and, covered the whole ground; but did not find immediately a solution to all the troubles. Nothing could be decided to-day, as we could have bound-nobody but purselves. Doubtless before we next meet for a further exchange of views, we shall find some method of settling our troubles; but we have not done so yet. We have not cleared up some misapprehensions and suspicions. They were trying to make the entry ofGermany to the. League absolutely non-controversial, and, if by waiting a day or two, they could assure this result, surely it was better to wait.”

AMERICAN DISAPPOINTMENT. 4 ,/• LONDON. March 7. The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent, commenting on the de-, parture for Washington of the American Ambassadors from London and Berne, says The postponement of the preliminary disarmament conference has shocked official and public opinion in the United States, where there is little faith that it ever will be held. The latest intrigues concerning the League Council have further had the worst possible effect upon the directors of American foreign policy. Indeed, their will to co-operate with Europe may be entirely damped by the attempt to form a Latin bloc, obviously directed against Anglo-American ideas of peace.” QUALIFIED OPTIMISM. (Recd. 11 a.m.) GENEVA, March 8. Qualified optimism is the nearest description of the atmosphere at the opening of the thirty-ninth session of 'the Council of the League, notwithstanding that yesterday’s informal talks did not result in either side abandoning its viewpoint. The Dominions have.no enthusiasm ioy the enlarged Council. The feeling is that ‘in tho end all will come right. Generally speaking, there is hope that a satisfactory solution will be reached, when M. Brian.!, who lias gone to Paris in connection with tk(J Cabinet crisis, returns on March 9.