MONDAY. SEPTEMBER 12, 1921. THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 12 September 1921, Page 4

MONDAY. SEPTEMBER 12, 1921. THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

• — , I Lord Robert Cecil's speech at the meeting of the League of Nations As-' sembly at.Geneva last weeTt is notable for two main points—the necessity fo^ the League exercising its power in the direction of controlling armaments, and the attitude of America towards the League. There has been so much delay in the Allies finishing their task under the Peace Treaty that the League has lo.st for many people all the bright colourings and enthusiastic welcome which proclaimed its birth in the Covenant which was part and par- 1 eel of the Peace Treaty. The failure of the United"' States to ratify the Treaty was regarded in some j?arts l of the world as the death-blow to the League, and there arose enthusiasts who thought that something better could be given ~to the world in an "Association of Nations," which was to be developed by the United States. The Presidential election with its heavy defeat of the party which claimed President Wilson as its leader seemed to mark the end of the League and the Peace Treaty. But the American people have found that the nations have kept a quiet yet steadfast faith in the League, and with forty-eight nations represented at Geneva it is clear that the League of Nations is by no means a mythical dream, but a living force which is only now beginning to undertake the great task for which it was instituted. Whatever the difficulties ahead of the young League it is a wonderful fact that so many nations think it worth while to send delegates to Geneva, and the aim of each delegate is to find the best means of ensuring the peace of the world. It has been said that the numerous little wars and the possibility of further conflict in the near future are proofs of the hopeless outlook for peace through the League. We'feel sure, however,, that'.the-great-majority, of people expect too much and the League has been condemned almost before it came into existence. The task of finally. deciding the details of the Peace Treaties has hardly been completed, "and the full responsibility for directing and maintaining peace Las not yet been fully handed over to the League. Some of the greatest students of international affairs have criticised the Allied leaders for the de-j lay, but until they had finally deter- ( mined the full operations of tie treaties which they had drawn up it i was not- possible to place- matters in' ( the care of the League, It is only a few weeks since the Silesian question was discussed by the Allied Premiers, and failing to reach a definite settle-ment-it was handed over to the League to decide. That action probably marks for the first time the full recognition of the League's existence and capacity for deciding a question of great international importance. Whateyer its decision the Allied Powers will accept it. The League will perhaps find it best to await the results of tie Harding Conference before making decisions: upon the questions of disarmament and the problems of the Pacific. Japan is keenly; in favour of a reduction in the naval programmes of Britain, the United States, and herself, and the Washington Conference should be successful. If it is it will give to the League a powerful lever to help it in its most important work of reducing armaments generally and removing from the world the powerful machinery which by; its very existence is inclined to encourage warfare. We shall probably find that the League, which has survived.: the dangers of the past two years, will grow in strength steadily, and 'wilt'ultimately be the great bulwark protecting the nations against ( any spirit of aggression that may

arise. We need to bo patient and make reasonable allowances for the enormous jj task which has to be undertaken, but n we cannot believe that, provided they j< aro inspired by the right spirit—and n the fact of their being represented at * the Assembly encourages the hope that ,j they aro so inspired—the forty-eight c nations with delegates at Geneva aro t going to fail. If they do, then there J can bo little hope that humanity tor . decades to conic will roach the high j and noblo plane of ft righteous peace, ] for which tho huge sacrifices wore made ' in the greatest war which was over waged. j