LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 7 March 1928, Page 5

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

SECURITY PROBLEM. THE AMERICAN PROPOSALS NO DIFFERENCE TO COVENANT. BY OABI,E- PRESS ASSOCIATIO’J--COPYBIGU’I GENEVA, March 6. At the League Council meeting the day was largely devoted to preliminary discussions. The most definite event was the Arbitration Security Committee producing the draft of the mode 1 ! treaty on judicial settlement by arbitration and" conciliation. It consists of 38 articles. Lord Cushendun, in a lengthy explanation, intimated that Britain could not accept the optional clause regarding the submitting of disputes to the International Court of Justice, as her international relations were so compiex, but he hoped that States with simpier foreign relations would do so. f ranee is thus tar the only great Power to sign the optional clause. There has been considerable comment in neague circles on the United (states .Note to France, regarding the outlawry of wars, the general impression being that America’s proposals need elucidation. When examined closely they do not reveal material ciitterence from the .League s covenant, it is freely stated that the United States could work more eriectively for world peace by joining the League. .prominent members of. the Council also express the opinion that European peace would be on a safer basis if Signor Mussolini could be induced to taice a personal part in the woi’K of tne Eeague Council. Hopes that the first general disarmament comerenee will be held in have been shattered, as it is announced that all resolutions adopted by tne Security Commission will be subject to approval by the League Assembly. As the Assembly only meets in (September, a disarmament conference is impossible before 1929. The Mandates Commission announces that in view of the appointment Oi' a .tvoyai Commission to investigate the situation in vv estern Samoa, the commission will not express an opinion regarding tne Samoan agitation, but will ueal with the matter at the dune session, when the itoyal Commission’s report will be available, together with the _>evv Zealand Government’s observations. COMPULSORY ARBITRATION. REJECTION BY BRITISH EMPIRE. Received 10.45 a.m. to-day. GENEVA, March 6. Lord Oushendum deeply impressed the Council by his declaration of the Empire’s unequivocal rejection of compulsory arbitration under the proposed model treaty. He said: “Our farflung Empire was a. different problem from that vvhich confronts other na-

ions. We are unable to commit Empire members to obligations which at present are unmeasurable. Could any one say the extent to which the model treaty* wilt justify them in specifically declaring readiness te reduce armaments.” NON-RATIFICATION OF AGREE- . MENTS. MAY ENDANGER THE LEAGUE. Received 11.5 a.m. to-day. GENEVA, March 6. The Council lengthily discussed the non-ratification of agreements and conventions concluded under the League auspices. Sir Austen Chamberlain cited the opium and other important conventions and pressed for immediate ratification, pointing out that non-ratification was endangering the League. He urged that there should be fewer conventions and more ratifications.

It was finally decided to place the whole question on the next council agenda paper. —A.P.A. and “Sun.”