LEAGUE PROBLEMS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 106, 5 April 1926, Page 8

LEAGUE PROBLEMS

THE RECENT FIASCO.

“MUDDLING AND BLUNDER.”

LONDON, March 21. Tlie Observer, in a leading article, says: “The mere personal questions were insignificant compared with the international factors responsible for the excerable Geneva fiasco. The Franco-British Governments have tarnished their reputation by an unhappy partnership in moan muddling and blundei. “If M. Briand and Sir Austen Chamberlain had . been simply and thoroughly true to Locarno principles, Germany would now be a member of the League. Thoy did their best at tho lost minute to mend the mischief they had allowed to arise, but it was too late.

“Without a thorough reconciliation and tho co-operation of Britain, Germany and France, the League has no chance of success. At present it is impotent on major world questions, ."t cannot interfere with the American continents, or in Russian or Chinese troubles. Similarly, although Japan is one of its chief members, the League is powerless in Asia. We hope that British foreign policy has learned its bitter lesson.” THE CRUCIAL TEST. The Paris correspondent of tho Sunday Times foreshadows a , new Geneva crisis in connection with the disarmament conference, which meets on May 17. He says: “According to private Washington information, the conference will be the crucial test as far as America is concerned, and the American Government wil not hesitate to exercise the utmost diplomatic pressure to secure a definite agreement. “If this is true, there is promise of the bitterest crisis, for few Europeans, least of all France, are at present ui the mood to tolerate any kind of American pressure.” A Berlin message says it is reported that the Government is contemplating diplomatic action to discover the reason for Brazil’s veto. MUDDLED BY INTRIGUE. Tho Sunday Express comments: “While British politicians are being puddled and muddled by European intrigues, tho Empire is being neglected. Wo are allowng foreign •/reeds to peoplo it. It is tho height of irony that we are unable to keep our overseas work in the family. There are enough jobs to go round the whole Empire, but there are not onough to go round Europe as well.” The Sunday Times says: “The big fact emerging is that the Council’s composition must bo altered. The Brazilian veto on a purely European event must be made permanently impossible. The League must bo freed of all South American embarrassments and be directed solely by tho great European Powers.” The Weekly Dispatch, in connection with the declaration of the French Prime Minister, M. Briand, that the signatories to the Locarno pact promised Germany a colonial mandate when she entered the League, says: “Many people are wondering which Power is going 'to sacrifice its mandate. Apart lrom r Australia, Now Zealand and Souh Africa, who would both -strongly object it is difficult to see whence the mandate is coming.” EMPIRE SHOULD WITHDRAW. “The Observer says: “Brazil’s veto paralysed the general interests of Europe, and, in particular, the wishes of the Empire. In face of this proof of the extent to which any particular nation may abuse the privileges and power of the League, expulsion should be added to the existing light of voluntary withdrawal, otherwise there can be no safeguard against destructive caprices or chartered egotism. “It would be better for Britain and the Dominions to withdraw until tho rest of the members come to a more useful frame of mind.” BARGAINING IN SECRET. LONDON, March 21. The president of the League of Nations Union, Professor Gilbert Murray, in a letter to the Times, says: “Tlie Geneva trouble was due to a E articular group of Powers meetings, argaining and struggling in secret. “Undoubtedly the failure has taught the absurdity of the enlargement of the number of members of the Coun cil beyond the great Powers. History will probably change the composition of tho great Powers as nations decline and rise; but it is absurb to elect a number of States to permanent seats because they happen momentarily to be agreeable to France, Britain or Italy.