LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 10 January 1925, Page 3

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

IRELAND’S THREAT TO .WITHER AAV. NEAY YORK, Dec. 21. The New York World’s Geneva correspondent- says that the Irish Free State will withdraw from the League of Nations within. 24 hours if the British stand that tlie Irish cannot be registered -with the League is accepted. Mr Michael MacAA’hite, the Free State envoy, in an interview, declared that Ireland’s position against “Britain’s attempt to apply pre-war solutions to post-war 'problems” will be uncompromising. Dublin’s reply to tlie British Note toi the League, in which it is pointed out that the British Government lias consistently taken the view that none of the League’s covenants was intended to govern inter-relations of the British Commonwealth, is under preparation, ft will say that Ireland is now a- fullfledged member of the League. “Ireland will challenge Britain's interpretation of the Covenant Gf the League, acknowledging neither tlie' legality nor tlie equity of the contentions.” says Mr Mac-White. “Tlie Covenant is clear and unambiguous on this matter. The A’ersa illes Treaty is the Dominion’s Magna. Cluurta, establish- - mg their right to handle their own foreign affairs.”

A canvass shows that with the exception of Britain and France, and possibly Italy, the upholds Ireland. A meeting of' representatives of ten smaller countries last night unanimously expressed the opinion that,'victory for tlie British theory would place them at the mercy of any nation which in future would follow the precedent, and declare the treaties of minor States invalid.”