League’s Dismal Failure

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 157, 6 July 1936, Page 7

League’s Dismal Failure

Abyssinia Abandoned

Attempt at Reorganisation

United Press Assn.—By Elc< GENEVA, July 3. The Business Committee of the League Assembly this afternoon will draft a resolution to wind up the proceedings, and will attempt to dispose of Abyssinia’s embarrassing resolutions as quietly as possible. The general pessimism has deepened, gnd the French Press makes no attempt to disguiso their failure. Senor Barcia, whoso speech was so tragically interrupted by tho shooting incident, urged that tho Covenant does not need reform but practice of tho spirit in which it is applied. M. Delbo3 (France) said that economic and financial measures alono would not stop war. Tho community must bring all tho means at their disposal, including force, into action at tho outset. "The solution lies in.new regional pacts or tho strengthening of existing ones,” ho declared. “The Leaguo still merits confidence. It has not succeeded, because tho weapons of the Covenant havo not been used with full effect.” Women’s Anguish. At this evening’s session of the Assembly, Miss Herstin Hesselgrin (Sweden), tho only woman speaker, said: “Women throughout tho world are suffering intense anguish from the danger of war. flow can women wish to bear children in a world which is so hopeless? You will get women’s collaboration wholeheartedly if you work for peace.” Tho Mexican delegation has informed the President that they will not participate further in the proceedings concerning the Italo-Abyssinian dispute, and will abstain from voting. They do not agree with the handling of the dispute, but do not wish to obstruct the work of tho Assembly. Study of League’s Func^ons. Tho Standing Orders Committee agreed to draft a resolution at the close of the session as follows: If political circumstances have prevented the integral application of the principles of the Covenant the Covenant will remain intact. The Assembly observes that tho experience of sixteen years’ application of the Covenant necessitates special study of tha functions of the League with* a view to reinforcing its authority, and invites members to submit observations with a view to study at the next session of tho Assembly. It invites tho Committee of Co-ordinatiou to consider the situation regarding sanctions and to recommend to Governments the attitude to be adopted. It is believed that the Committee of Co-ordination will recommend a date between July 10 and Julyi.ls for the abolition of sanctions.

Ethiopia’s Last Despairing Appeal

Resolution Adopted Received Sunday, 9.20 p.m. GENEVA, July 4. A communique says that as a result of the conversations between AI. Blum and M. Dclbos (France), Air. Eden (Britain) and M. Van Zeeland (Belgium) it was agreed that a further meeting of the Locarno Powers should be held before the end of the mouth. It is understood that the meeting will be held in Brussels and that both Italy and Germany will be invited to attend. The Daily Telegraph's correspondent says Germany will be invited to attend whether or not she has replied to the British questionnaire, though if was recognised that a constructive German reply would materially increase the chances of a successful conference. After a brief session at noon the Assembly adjourned at (5 p.m., M. Van Zeeland stating that several delegates wished to consult their Governments concerning the resolution. The Assembly adopted the draft resolution by -14: votes to one, Abyssinia solely opposing it. South Africa, Chile, Panama and Venezuela abstained from voting and Alexico did not attend. The Assembly by 23 votes to one rejeered the Abyssinian request for a £10,000,000 loan. There were 25 abstentious. The Bureau of the Assembly adopted a report stating that Abyssinia’s demand for rccognitioji Is covered generally by the draft resolution, also that Abyssinia’s request for a foan from the League had already been rejected. It is understood that to-day’s ad-

itric Telegraph.—Copyright. journment was largely duo to Haile Selassie’s desire for a final protest' against tho resolution. It is uncertain whether Selassie or lias Nasibu will be the speaker at the annua! meeting of the League ou September 21. Selassie has advised the League Secretariat that all communications to tho Ethiopian Government should bo directed to the Legation in London. He announces that in his absence tho Government has been established at Gore under Woldc Sadik, and adds that Has Imru is reorganising the military forces of the Empire.

DROPPING SANCTIONS Received Sunday, 7.30 p.tn. GENEVA, July 4. With only lias Nasibu’s loudly ejaculated “No” as opposition me League Assembly adopted a resolution closing the Italo-Abyssiuiau affair after listening to the last desperate Lthiupian appeal read by M. Mayden ou behalf of Has Nasibu who represented the Emperor. Ras Nasibu demanded a straight yes or no ou tho Abyssinian plea that the League should not recognise the annexation of Abyssinia ano declared that tho Ethiopian Government repo. ' - Jly denounced the aggressors and the proposed bargain that Mussolini will collaborate in European affairs if his victim is abandoned to her fate. He reminded the Assembly of its position in t’-o eves of the world and appealed for confirmation of tho vote last year condemning Italy as the aggressor. Ras Nasibu added: “The proposed resolution will not satisfy Ethiopia. We know nothing of the subletics of procedure but do demand that the Assembly give an unequivocal vote as the Italians harm occupied only half of Abyssinia and their armies were assembling elsewhere to march against the invaders.”

The final text of tho resolution was reached after many hours’ discussion. It recognised that various circumstances prevented ,an integral application of the Covenant to which the Assembly was firmly attached as it was also to other declarations, including the South American States declaration in 1932 excluding the settlement of territorial questions by force. The resolution added that the Assembly is persuaded of the necessity ot increasing the efficacy of the security guarantees and invites the Governments to forward proposals with a view to perfecting within the above limits the application of the principles of the Covenant ou which tho secretary will report to tho Assembly next session. 'llm resolution also proposed in view of tho situation resulting from the Italo-Abyssiuiau conflict that the Committee of Co-ordination make proposals necessary to end the measures adopted in execution of article XVI. This is tantamount to dropping sanctions. The Panama delegate declared that tho resolutions were timid and were not worth referring to nis GovernmentHe added that ‘‘the mountain in labour had brought forth a mouse.” The Assembly then voted as cabled and also adopted the. Bureau's report that the Ethiopian demand for the nonrecognition of annexation was covered by the resolution which is in more general terms, also that the demands for loans had already been rejected on previous occasions.

The President, AL Van Zeeland, in closing the meeting, said the Assembly had passed through the narrowest and darkest passage in the history of its long journey towards world peace. He condoled with tho delegates in their difficult, and ungrateful task and paid tribute to the loyalty with which sanctions were carried out. Af. Van Zeeland added: “We have no reason to reproach ourselves but must give attention to the future. The League must continue.’’ I ho Assembly will meet on September 21. The Abyssinians departed with dejected looks, feeling that this was probably the last time they would attend the League. The Co-ordination Committee will meet ou Aloiiday regarding the lifting of sanctions.