Manawatu Daily Times League of Nations Council.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3287, 5 March 1926, Page 6

Manawatu Daily Times League of Nations Council.

The internatkml spirit prevailing at the eve of the meet* ing. of the League of Nations is by no means as one might have desired for such a momentous occasion. The entry of Germany into the pact of Nations was to be the embodiment of the spirit embraced by the Treaty of Locarno and so lay the foundation for a just and lasting world’s peace. The endeavour made by France, Poland and possibly Italy to increase the permanent seats on the Council apart from the inclusion of Germany, has met with keen opposition from England as well as Scandinavian countries, with the result that the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. (Sir Austen Chamberlain), has been placed in a most embarrassing position. There has sprung up during the last few years, ill certain sections of Pai’liament and the British Press, a strong objection to anything in the nature of secret diplomacy, and Sir Austen Chamberlain is being accused of having given pladges regarding the alteration of the Council’s constitution ih contradiction to popular sentiment in Great Britain. Repeated efforts have been made by Press and Parliament to compel him to commit himself publicly, and even the Prime Minister has been forced into a promise of making a statement in the House of Commons prior to the Foreign Minister’s departure to the international conferences at Geneva. The reasons for increasing the Council’s membership are given as being of a two-fold nature. The opponents to such action maintain that France is advocating the inclusion of Poland, Spain and Brazil as a counterpoise to Gerraay. In other words, that France’s design is to neutralise Germany’s presence and influence at the Council by forming a Latin bloc of Nations, whose interests are more or less antagonistic to those of Germany. On the other hand, it is contended by those favouring a reconstructed Council, and this group evidently includes the British Secretary of Foreign Affairs, that there is a sound argument for increasing the permanent membership, as under the Locarno agreement, possibly Germany and all the present permanent members, except Japan, might become interested parties in any international entanglement submitted to the Council for settlement. There is no question concerning the admission of Germany to the League and the Council. Nor does there appear to be any objection “in principle” as to the eligibility of Poland, except it be to its contemporaneous admission with Germany. The admission to the Council of any nation apart from Germany at this stage is contrary to the spirit of the Treaty of Locarno, and France has raised the question of reconstruction with the object of eluding the moral engagements into which she had entered at Locarno. , > Neither France nor Poland would so persistently press the latter’s claim to admission simultaneously with that of Germany, were it not for the fact that a unanimous vote is required before any further nation may be admitted to a permanent seat on the Council. . According to latest cabled reports, endeavours are being made to persuade Dr. Stresemann and Dr. Luther to agree to give Poland a temporary scat until the September meeting In the meantime, Spain is said to be willing to withdraw, thereby checkmating Brazil’s ambition to a place on the Council. There is a growing feeling in British politics that Sir Austen Chamberlain should not he shackled before proceeding to the conference hut that more confidence should he shown the man to whose dinlocamv was mainly due the groat achievement of the international Treaty of Locarno. This flirtation with France, however, is not likely to inspire it.