SAVING THE LEAGUE

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 December 1933, Page 7

SAVING THE LEAGUE

SECRETARY’S TOUR NEXT EFFORT AT PARIS [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] RUGBY, December 18. M. Avenol (Secretary-General of the League of Nations), before leaving for Paris, after a week’s visit to London, was the guest of Sir Austen Chamberlain at luncheon. He had conversations during his sojourn with leading British Ministers and public men, with whom he discussed League affairs. It is understood the British Ministers- were willing and anxious to examine any definite, proposals for an improvement of the League machinery which Signor Mussolini may advance. “The Times” says that it had been accordingly agreed that a series of questions should be drafted and submitted to Signor Mussolini as soon as possible. It, however, is felt, that the immediate need is that every effort should continue to bring Germany back to the Conference table.

REFORM OF LEAGUE. RUGBY, December 18. Mr MacDonald asked in the Commons, if he favoured the appointment of a committee to draft proposals to be submitted at Geneva for a reform of the League of Nations, with a view to preventing further secession from the League, and promoting the adhesion of all the Great Powers, replied: “No, Sir. I am not in favour of such a course.” ANGLO-ITALIAN CO-OPERATION. ROME, December 18. The paper “Stampa” says: “The only silver lining to Europe’s dark clouds is the fact of Britain and Italy working together to weather the storm.” It hopes that Signor Mussolini and Sir J. Simon at their forthcoming meeting will discover means of alleviating the international situation. It says that the collaboration of Germany, whether inside or outside of the League, is indispensable. The realisation of that fact means reaching the halfway house to peace. BRITAIN’S WEAK NAVY. (Recd. December 19, 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, December IS. The Navy can no longer guarantee the safety of the food and oil supplies in the event of war, as the cruisers available are pitifully inadequate in respect of numbers and strength, says a preface to June’s “fighting ships.” It adds: A programme so limited to concessions that Britain made at the London Conference, was so one-sided that the constructors are faced with the disagreeable necessity of providing ships inferior to their opposite numbers abroad. An Empire unable to defend itself deserves its fate. The efforts of professional pacifists should' no longer be tolerated. The desire for peace may be world-wide, but rapidly growing virile nations demand new markets and territory. The League has degenerated into a debating society, anxious and impotent. Preservation of peace in the Pacific depends upon other factors than pacts and treaties. America, Japan, France and Italy are building regardless of cost. Italy claims the fastest cruiser Colioni of 40.9 knots, and a destroyer Demosto of 45 knots. Foreigners are building thirty powerful cruisers, many of which are armoured, four aircraft carriers, and whole fleets of submarines and destroyers. Britain’s only impending formidable ships are two cruisers.