THE LEAGUE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 25 September 1924, Page 5

THE LEAGUE

BRITAIN’S OBLIGATIONS

USE OF FLEET.

SIR JAMES ALLEN ON PROTOCOL

"iV CABiiIS—BitCGS ASSOCIATION—CuBYBIGhI Tlr* -1 LONDON, Sept. 24. ihe Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent states that under article seven of the protocol Great Britain would be solemnly bound to lend her fleet for the purpose of blockading a Power designated an' aggressor, and also for guarding the overseas communictaions of an innocent party.

The suggestion that it rest with Britain to decide whether the whole fleet or part only (which she w-ould be lnrlted .it'd specify in advance as regards immediate action) should be used is begging the question. Britain, as the premier naval power in the. League, could not with honour limit her co-operation to a light cruiser and a couple pf destroyers. Moreover, however exiguous her naval contribution, participation in a blockading operation might still bring us into conflict with non-League Powers and the aggressor’s navy. America has not been slow to resent the proposal that a disarmament conference should be called, and held under the authority or the League after President Coolidge’s expressed desire to call such a conference. _ If the Republican Party is still in office Washington will decline officially to taj>e part in the conference, and it will not sign the protocol. GENEVA. Sept. 23. Sir James Allen considers the protocol agreement as evidence of reasonableness on both sides, who began widely separated. He is not sure, however, that the alteration in the sanctions clause of the covenant does not give the/council more power than desirable at present. However, he awaits the scheme in its ,final form.

ADMISSION OF GERMANY. LONDON, Sept. 24.' The Geneva correspondent of the Times understands that Germany has been informed that if she applies for admission to the League she is virtually assured of a permanent seat on the council. '