RUSSIA ENTERS LEAGUE

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 19 September 1934, Page 7

RUSSIA ENTERS LEAGUE

Result of Ballot is Received in Silence SEVEN MEMBERS DO NOT VOTE MR. DE VALERA’S COMMENT (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright..' Received 12.30 p.m. to-day. GENEVA, Sept. 18. The League assembly by 39 votes to 3, seven countries abstaining, admitted Russia to the League of Nations. The ballot was received in silence. M. Motta emphasised Switzerland’s objections, declaring that the League was undertaking an obvious task. Mr E. de Valera, in moving tones, recalled his previous misgivings, also M. Motta’s of yesterday, especially liis concern for Christians. He said it was not sufficient to concern oneself merely with politics. Russia was attacking the things*that count most in life. Speaking as a representative of people who had no quarrel with Russia, he urged the Soviet to'proclaim liberty of conscience and freedom of worship.

Portugal and Holland intimated their, opposition and subsequently the assembly, with ten abstentions, granted. Russia a permanent seat on the council. The Russian delegation, headed by M. Litvinoff, then entered. M. Litvinoff was invited to speak and he explained the Soviet’s ideals. He said that Russia was entering the League as the representative of a new social and economic system and was not renouncing, any of its special features, preserving its personality intact.

CHINA NOT ELIGIBLE. GENEVA, Sept. 17. Chile, Spain and Turkey have been elected to vacant seats on the League of Nations Council, the assembly deciding that China was ineligible for reelection.