LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18439, 19 June 1920, Page 9

LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

UTILITY QUESTIONED. SOME OANDID^CRITICISM. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. United Service. LONDON, Juno 17. The renewed discussion on the question of the utility of the League of Nations, to which the Nauru debate contributed, showed an increasing candour and pessimism. . "The Times," in an editorial, describes as a pompous faros the League's offer of mere sympathy to Persia, accompanied by advioe to the Persian Government to await the result of Russia's promises. It is enough to provoke world-wide Homerio laughter-, following as it did the flat refusal of the Soviet authorities to admit to Russia the League's Investigating Committee. The League merely threw upon tho Soviet Government tho entire responsibility which it refused to accept. " The Times " believes that only malice could involve the crippled League in situations which at present are beyond its strength. Ehough already had been done almost to kill ' it. " The British and tho Frenoh must, try to nurse and protect it while awaiting help from America. The suggests that the Nauru debate weakens the authority of the League, to which the world is entitled to look for assistance in reconstruction work and the maintenance of open doors. The "Westminster Gazette" fears that the League may be stifled in its cradle. It declares that tho Nauru Bill is stupid and unprincipled. It creates a precedent for defeating tho leading principle of the League, and offers our rivals a working ntodcl for evasions.