STILL UNSOLVED

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 15 March 1926, Page 5

STILL UNSOLVED

LEAGUE PROBLEMS.

POSITION APPEARS HOPELESS TUESDAY THE CRITICAL DAY BY CABLE —PRESS ASSOCIATION COPYRIGHT. LONDON, March 13. The situation at Geneva this morning remained at a deadlock. Ihe communication which Senor Mello Eranco had with Rio do Janiero resulted in a modification of Brazil’s attitude to such an extent that she was disregarded in the day’s negotiations. Aloreover, it is announced that M. Unden (Sweden) is confined to bed with bronchitis and it is unlikely he will be able to attend the Council and vote. It is officially stated that “the big five” negotiations have failed and the question will be referred to the Council of the League immediately. The Germans conferred with the French, after which the Locarnoites assembled, Lord Robert Geeil being present for the first time, with the result that Germany was asked to agree to Boland having a non-permanent seat until Fjiiptember and that in the meanwhiW l V, commission be instituted. Dr. clareuthat they could not accept the terms. They pointed out that they represented only a minority of the Reichstag and had no authority to agree to any change in the composition of the Council before Germany’s entry. It is understood that M. Briand again made a pathetic exhortation to the Germans, claiming that a new situation had arisen and they must as statesmen adapt themselves to the new conditions. During the arguments both sides threatened resignations. The Germans remained immovable, claiming . Germany’s sole unconditional admission. M. Briand, in a press interview, stated: “We have gone to the extreme limit of concessions. Germany agreed to enter the League without special treatment and now she makes conditions which we cannot accept. We can do no more. ’' The Germans, on the other hand, resented the responsibility being thrown upon them. What will follow to-day no one knows or ventures to guess. There is still an idea that the whole matter will be postponed till September. One correspondent avers that it is only a matter of hours before the German delegation will pack up. On the other hand, it is felt a solution may come at the eleventh hour. Several sources indicate that the Dominion representatives informed Sir Austen Chamberlain in most direct terms that they will vote against any increase of the Council apart from Germany. While the London papers yesterday morning regarded the position as hopeless, the Australian Press Association indicated the possibility of eleventh hour solutions, and these may be forthcoming in the course of the day. Dr. Luther and Herr Stresemann strongly advocated referring the whole questiou of new seats to a commission reporting in September. In the meantime, several minor States intimated their willingness to withdraw from the Council in order to facilitate the entry of newcomers.

j;, A Council meeting unofficially, however, decided to convoke the Assembly on Tuesday for the consideration of Germany’s entry, following which the Council will meet for the purpose of creating a permanent seat for Germany. This Council will be a critical one, and all the delegates will show their hands. Germany, failing unanimity, may withdraw from the League, in which case the Council will appear before the assembly in order to explain the positiou publicly. Herr Strescmann conferred with M. Briand for two hours in the evening. Later he issued a statement, in which he said it was a grotesque performance to invite Germany to Geneva and to keep her waiting for a week while nothing occurred except demands that Germany should accept various conditions before she became a member. He reiterated that he was willing to agree to the appointment of a commission. Germany would be ready as soon as admitted to do her utmost to solve the problem at the September session, and she pledged herself that whatever nations the assembly then elected she would radily accept regardless of whether she had a majority or a minority, “It is ridiculous,’’ declared Herr Stresemann later to the press, “that the peace policy should be shattered for the sake of the petty creation of a seat on the Council. The Locarno partners should stick together. ’' Dr. Luther, addressing German journalists, said: “We cannot differentiate between permanent and non-permanent seats, because our attitude is based on principles. We cannot bring pressure on anybody. We support a commission and will wait and see what happens.” The whole question, therefore, remains shelved until Tuesday, unless in the meantime, as is hoped, everything is smoothed for the entry of Germany unconditionally. -y Sweden offered to fesign her seat on the League Council in favour of Poland and Belgium also offered to act similarly. A report from Copenhagen states Poland is bringing pressure on Sweden to change her attitude, failing which they threaten economic war. Reports from Warsaw state that a mass meeting of students passed a resolution in support of Poland’s claim. Thousands marched in a procession singing the national anthem. GENEVA, March 13. A suggestion to remove the seat of the League from Geneva to Lausanne, Locarno or elsewhere, raised by Mr. Mac White (Ireland), caused a flutter among the committee dealing with the project of building new League offices and an assembly hall. Mr Mac White complained that only limited privileges and immunities at present were accorded to the delegates. The Swiss representatives, who are most concerned, gave assurances of Switzerland’s willingness to meet the obligations and to grant all the necessary facilities. They would acquire the present secretariat building at an equitable price and secure a site for a new building. The committee accepted the assurances and decided to erect, uew buildings at Geneva. HOPEFUL FOP A SETTLEMENTVIEWS OF SIR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN. iLCOMMENTS OF BRITISH PRESS. LONDON, March 13. In an interview at Geneva to-day, Sir Austen Chamberlain said that although he was more hopeful yesterday of a satisfactory settlement of the council membership problem, as a result of M. Vanderveld’s passionate

appeal, M. Briand’s conciliatory attitude, and his own efforts to go one better, he now felt that Dr. Luther’s rejection of their proposals made ail efforts to continue the conversations useless. He described the outcome of the efforts as a tragedy, and added: ‘‘As to the future, the whole affair is in the hands of the League Council. It is impossible to say what the reaction of the latest events will be.” The British press remains nervous regarding the situation at- Geneva. Many papers pass no comment, and those which do lament the squabbling. The Daily Chronicle asks: “Why does Mr. Baldwin permit it? If Sir Austen Chamberlain had said frankly that the council was called < solely to admit Germany the intrigue would liave dried up instead of festering into an ulcer which is poisoning the League’s life-blood.”

The Observer says. “A long week of squalid squabble has besmirched the name of Locarno and discredited the League such as nothing else has done since its foundation. All its enemies are exultant and its supporters stand aghast. Bolshevists and Junker diehards rejoice that America’s alienation is. now contemptuously confirmed. The friends of reconciliation in Germany; are weakened. It is no time to be mealy-mouthed. In Britain the whole episode has made a disgusting impression on public opinion. Every dictate of decency required that the. letter and spirit of Locarno should he implemented before the claims of Poland, Spain and Brazil were raised.” The Sunday Express says: “The whole world stands aghast, at the coldblooded murder of the Locarno spirit before, a war of grouping antagonisms, all resurrected in darker and deadlier forms.” The Sunday Times says: “Wte are to blame for not having asserted ourselves sooner and made it plain to everybody firstly that we regarded Germany’s sole admission as a point of honour, and secondly that it was our policy to reserve the permanent seats for the great Powers. ’ ’