GENEVA PROTOCOL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 23 January 1925, Page 5

GENEVA PROTOCOL.

PARTICIPATION OF DOMINIONS. 13Y CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT LONDON, Jan. 22. The diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Chronicle, commenting on Cabinet’is- discussion of the Geneva ~ protocol, says: “The Ministers, who are particularly anxious for an early settlement of European security by a system of guarantees, keenly regret the delay, but realise that far-reaching amendments, which alone overcome the repugnance of the Empire, cannot, be framed except by an Imperial Conference. “The Dominions will insist upon s t least three amendments, viz., (1) noninterference by the Geneva or Hague Court in matters of domestic legislation; (2) the elimination of any automatic Sanctions which would create a state of war; and (3) the abandonment o.f any claim by a majority of the council of the League of Nations to compel dissentient States to go to war on behalf of the League. “It is hoped in some official quarters that if cable consultation with the Dominions shows that the protocol is doomed, the Dominion Government will put forward an alternative scheme of guarantees with special reference to Belgium and France, if not Germany also, in the shape of a regional and mutual pact between the four Western Powers.

“Other official circles are less sanguine. They believe that only a direct attack upon Britain by a European Power will secure the participation of the Dominions in a European conflict, as their centre of danger is in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.”

REJECTION DENIED

MELBOURNE, Jan. 22

The Premier (Mr. S. M. Bruce) denies th\t Cabinet has finally decided to recommend the rejection of the Geneva rvrotocol. Final consideration has not been given the matter. a.s the' Ministers have h»en too busv to consider it f’dlv. The matter will he discussed exhaustivelv at a later date.