SPAIN AND THE LEAGUE.
When Spain threatened to withdraw from the League of Nations, prior to the annual Assembly of 1926, it was prophesied that, should she carry out her threat, the day would come when she would be glad to return. She withdrew from the League. Now, before the required two-years' notice of withdrawal can take legal effect, it is reported from Geneva that she will rejoin the League beiore the next Assembly. This is good news, of course, for her withdrawal was regrettable; but it is not likely that the League will kill the fatted calf and make merry on either its own or Spain's account in September. Spain left the League in a fit of pique. Germany's anticipated entry, following the Locarno pact, tempted Spain, along with Brazil, to angle for a permanent seat in the Council. If Germany were given such a seat and she herself were denied one—so ran her challenge —she would have nothing more to do with Geneva. A few weeks later, probably with the idea of using thp Tangier trouble as a stalkinghorse in the same quest, she said that unless she were given the administration of Tangier she would leave the League. Sin got her way in neither demand, and followed Brazil, though with less dignity, out of the League. Bent on showing herself to be one of the Great Powers, indispensable in its work, she used bewrayingly petty methods. It was well that she was allowed to go rather than to dictate terms to others. The League came well out of the test she imposed. It would be monstrous if the self-seeking of any Power were permitted to coex-ce, even to hamper, the procedure of the League. Having learned that she can be done without, Spain sensibly wishes to come back. She will hear that she is welcome, as she expects ; but her share in the crisis of 1926, while teaching her a lesson, really helped to strengthen the League's prestige, and it is in a position to receive her with a quiet dignity very unlike the manner in which she withdrew.
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New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19858, 31 January 1928, Page 8
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352SPAIN AND THE LEAGUE. New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19858, 31 January 1928, Page 8
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