EUROPEAN DISPUTE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 306, 29 November 1927, Page 7

EUROPEAN DISPUTE

MANY REPORTS COLOURED. LEAGUE COUNCIL’S INTERVENTION. POLAND URGED TO USE DISCRETION. (By Electrio Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received November 29 at 1.10 p.m. RUGBY, Nov. 28. _ Although the unsatisfactory relations which have existed for some time between Poland and Lithuania havp undoubtedly developed, into the situation of some tension, the _ view generally of the British press is that despite the undoubted dangers many of tho reports received exaggerate this state of affairs. The League Council, which meets next Monday, will take up consideration of the issues involved.' The Lithunian Government recently invoked Article eleven of the Covenant in reference to the Polish actions during a dispute last month, and now the Polish Government have decided to direot tlio League Council’s attention to the continuance of ■ the socalled “state of war” between Lithuania and Poland, a condition of affairs which precluded normal diplomatic relations between two members of tho League. Tho Polish Government will request the League to use its influence to end this abnormal state of affairs. In the meantime, the Polish Government, as the means of dispersing current rumours, have explicitly declared that they have no intention of infringing territorial independence and that thev require only the establishment of friendly relations between tho two countries. British press comment urges the advisability upon the Government concerned of maintaining discretion 'both in action and in word. The situation is to be fully examined. The Foreign Secretary was asked today in the House of Commons whether his attention had been called to the grave position between Poland, and Lithuania.

Tho Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, replying, said: “The Government have watched with grave anxiety the growing tension between Poland and Lithuania. They are, however, relieved by the fact that the Council of the League of Nations is about to examine this question at Geneva and they trust that a settlement may result which will restore friendly relations between tho two States.

“They have no confirmation of the alarmist rumours which have appeared in tho press and are confident that neither Poland nor , Lithuania will be so unwise as to take any rash action while the deliberations of the League are pending. “The Polish Government have indeed assured the Powers represented on the Council of the League that they have no designs against Lithuania’s political independence and territorial integrity, and that they only desire restoration of normal relations and a termination by Lithuania of the state of war, which she maintains against Poland. —British official wireless.

SITUATION DANGEROUS. TWENTY OFFICERS ARRESTED. LONDON, Nov. 27. The Times’s Riga correspondent says that the^ reports of disorders in Lithuania, 'are'not confirmed, but the situation is dangerous. All parties are exhorting the Premier, M. Valderruiras, to form a Coalition Government, but this is not likely before the League Council meets. President Smecona told officers seeking a coalition not to meddle in politics. M. Valdemaras replied in similar tenms, and after this twenty officers were arrested.—Times.