MUTUAL DISTRUST.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 18 February 1926, Page 5

MUTUAL DISTRUST.

GERMANY’S INFLUENCE.

IN LEAGUE OF NATIONS.-

A DISTURBING SITUATION. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. Received Feb. 18, 11.35 a,m. .LONDON, Feb. i"„ The Times ’ Berlin correspondent says that while Sir Erie Drummond’s conversations with Dr Stresemann are proceeding satisfactorily, the proposal to assign permanent- League Council seats to Poland, Spain and Brazil simultaneously with Germany lias caused a deep and unpleasant impression. Official circles resent the manner in which the proposal was, launched, also the purpose prompting it. They. consider that it is strange that Sir Austen Chamberlain and M. Briandi should have discussed' the proposition without imparting the slightest, information to the partner concerned. Germany 'dis--covered the proposal by purest accident. It was not mentioned at Locarno, where it was tacitly understood that Germany was to enter the League 'as it was then constituted. The new move implies that Germany is mistrusted by the other members of the League, who deem it necessary to counteract Germany’s influence. Inasmuch as Germany has given no grounds for these assumptions, it is not surprising that the mistrust is mutual. —Times.

PROPOSED ENLARGEMENT.

DIFFICULTIES AND DANGERS

AHEAD.

LONDON, Eeb. 16.

The Daily . Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent states that the Cabinet Ministers are becoming daily more aware of the dangers and difficulties attending to any substantial enlargement of the League Council. Some British circles take .the view that, if the present Continental intrigues continue, Britain should make it clear at Geneva - and elsewhere that she will, henceforth adopt the position of marked detachment, leaving the other Powers to settle their own quarrels. It is also felt that an attempt will be made to rush through the special Assembly measures designed to introduce vital organic changes _in the structure of the League, and which would be extremely unfair to the more distant dominions. - Constant communications arc passing . between . Downing Street and the dominions, BELGIAN REPRESENTATIVE ‘ RESIGNS. * . . .. ..... ... iV; • V BRUSSELS, Feb. 17. M. Hymaus has resigned from the membership of the League of Nations Council, stating that in the. present situation of international affairs, the Foreign Minister of each country should personally take charge of the discussions at Geneva,

GERMANY’S ENTRY ACCORDING TO' PLAN. INCREASE IN' NUMBER, OF SEIATS. LONDON, Feb. 16. The Berlin correspondent of the Daily Chronicle says information from London and Paris leads the Government definitely to believe that Germany’s entry into the League of Nations will proceed according to plan. It- is' understood that Warsaw also has intimated that it has no desire to prove an obstacle.

It is recognised in Germany that it is the strong expression of British opinion which lias , taken the Locarno ship over another rock. .The Tagliche Rundschau, the voice of the Foreign Office, says Germany is not against Poland or any other nation eventually being given a permanent seat, but the structure of the League, in fairness, ought not to be altered until Germany has settled down to membership. The diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says that if Cabinet deals with the international crisis which has arisen over the proposal to enlarge the League Council. Mr L. C. M. Ambry (Secretary for the Dominions) will formally submit South Africa's strong representations against any enHa.rgement beyond the admission of'Germany at the present juncture. The correspondent adds : “I understand South Africa’s lead will be endorsed by two other Dominions pending a- collective demarche by all. Dominion* opinion’ is indignant over the Continental intrigues, which are regarded as a- violation of both the spirit" of the League and Locarno. The Dominions, moreover, are alarmed at the complications which are likely to arise for the British Commonwealth unless . the intrigues are promptly stamped out. The Dominions’ fear that the League is in danger of being turned into a Latin syndicate. In view of the Dominions’ objections a strong stand will be made at Geneva in March against any fresh nominations to the council before September. On these matters the .Empire should speak with .one voice and in no uncertain, tone.”