FEELING AT GENEVA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 182, 3 July 1936, Page 9

FEELING AT GENEVA

ATMOSPHERE OF DEJECTION. AIR TE WATER’S SPEECH. EFFECTIVE •IRONY. (United Press Association—By Electrie Te 1 egra ph. —Co py rigli t.) Received July 3, 8.5 a.m. GNEVA, July 2. Such an atmosphere of dejection has seldom overhung Geneva. The humiliation of the delegates was intensified by Mr C. T. Te Water’s speech, which created the deepest impression. The Morning Post’s Geneva correspondent declares that low speeches had so moved the Assembly, especially because ot its passionate sincerity. Air Vernon Bartlett, the NewsChronicle’s correspondent, considers that no such open criticism of the Great Powers lias been heard since the days of Dr Nansen. Delegates shuffled uncomfortably when Air To Water with effective irony contrasted Sir Samuel Hoare’s proud lead in September with the powerlessness of 50 nations to protect the weakest among them. He declared that there must come a time in international relations when resignation was not sufficient. They must have the courage to act. The only gleam of humour since the Assembly opened came from M. Litvinoff (Russia) who suggested that the Leaguo was not invented merely to make the world safe for aggressors. ft is generally agreed that Mr R. A. Eden performed a difficult task with dignified resignation. He did not attempt to conceal his own and the Leagues humiliation. Air Eden was the only delegate to express sympathy with the Emperor. GRAVE RESPONSIBILITY. The depression - communicated itscll to the ganerie.s, winch were listless and naif empty when Mr S. M. Bruce opened the morning's deliberations. Mr Bruce declared that the question before the Assembly as to wlietli* sanctions should he lifted, maintained, or increased was a grave responsibility increased by the fundamental questions involved. loose advocating their maintenance or an increase oelieved that this was necessary to preserve theLeague, also respect lor international law, but if sanctions did not prevent die conquest of Abyssinian independence m a reasonable time it would oe necessary to impose new and more farreaching sanctions, which might lead to armed reaction by Italy. It was doubt! ul whether the nations were prepared to meet armed force with armed roree. “The Commonwealth considers that sanctions should he lifted, but desires to co-operate in a review of the system of collective security in September to ensure an effective 'system of international co-operation,” Air Bruce said. “Isn’t it fairer to Abyssinia to declare ourselves to her now. Haven’t we misled that unfortunate nation long enough r 1” Mr Bruce added that experience had shown that the imposition of economic and financial sanctions limited-to those not provoking retaliatory action was futile and ineffective, hut the devotion of the nations of the League was not sufficiently great to commit their peoples to a war not concerning their immediate national interests. Lust autumn new hope came to millions that collective security was a reality and that collective judgment of the nations would ensure justice. To-day that hope was extinguished. “Our task is to rekindle it and ensure its realisation,’ Mr Bruce said. NEW ZEALAND'S VIEW. SA NOTIONS FA VOURED. A UNIVERSAL LEAGUE Received July 3, 9.45 p.m. GENEVA, July 2. In the Assembly, M. Munch said that Denmark was not opposed to the lifting of sanctions, but was opposed to recognition of Italy’s annexation of Abyssinia. Denmark fully supported the Argentine regarding this. “We cannot allow a country to disappear as a State solely because it is occupied by a foreign army, even though the occupation has obliged the Government to depart,” lie said. AI. Alotta said Switzerland supported the removal of sanctions.

Sir James Parr said New Zealand favoured the maintenance or intensification of sanctions, net in view of the majority of the League members favouring a suspension New Zealand would acquiesce. Sir James Parr advocn.Vi 1 t' at iho League be made universal and suggested that this reform be discussed at the September meeting of the Assembly, to which the nations of the world are invited. Mr. De Valera said that as the representative of a small nation which had been the victim of aggression and dismemberment (Irish Free State), he appreciated the warning from Haile Selassie. The League should face the fact that' financial economic sanctions were only effective if the Powers were willing to support them with military sanctions and accept the risk of war. The peace of Europe depended on the will of the big Powers and the nature of the sacrifices they were prepared to make. The Assembly then adjourned. The Council will meet in camera in the evening, presumabily to discuss the Danzig difficulties. SEEKING A LOAN.

EMPEROR APPLIES FOR £10,000,000. Received July 3, 10.20 p.m. LONDON, July 2. The outstanding speeches of the third day of the meeting of the League Assembly were those of Sir James Parr, Mr S. M. Bruce, and Mr De Valera. Otherwise it was a day for the small Powers. Again only one voice was raised against the ' dropping of sanctions. The previous day it was Mr Te Water’s; to-dav it was Sir James Parr’s. There is a wide divergence of views as to how the Covenant should be altered. Many speakers remain to be heard. Meanwhile the drafting committee will consider the solutions and suggestions which the delegations are submitting. The French have drafted a resolution establishing a special committee |,o study all the proposals for the reform of the Covenant and suggesting the procedure for the immediate application of economic and financial sanctions in a case of aggression. The resolution submitted to the Assembly must record the lifting of sanctions and will probably contain a

declaration of non-recognition of the annexation of Abyssinia. The Negus has tabled a resolution asking for a loan from the League of £10,000,000, and another calling on the Assembly to proclaim they do not recognise- the annexation. Ras Nasibu, in a covering note, says the Emperor is doing this in order to permit a frank expression from the majority of the members of the League.