SPAIN AND THE LEAGUE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19892, 10 March 1928, Page 10

SPAIN AND THE LEAGUE.

In view of the statement made by General P"imo de Rivera, there is now no doubt that Spain will resume active membership in the League of Nations. A few weeks ago it was understood in Geneva that, before her withdrawal could take legal effect—two years' notice being required—she would return ; and the Council's Note, asking both Spain and Brazil whether they regarded the reasons for their withdrawal as still existent, has evidently produced its desired effect. As their umbrage was due to Germany's being given a permanent seat on the Council immediately on entry into -League membership, without their assertion of at least an equal claim to this status being acknowledged, the reasons may be held to remain; but the enlargement of the Council, by adding to the number of non-permanent seats . and instituting a revised arrangement for filling them, makes possible their return with some show of justification. They would have done themselves more credit by an earlier repentance, and no doubt this view of the matter will prevent any jubilation when again they—as Brazil may be expected to accompany Spain back to the fold —take their places in * the Assembly next September. Yet it is well that they should return. The League came well out of the test imposed by their fit of pique. It was better to let them go unmourned than to break faith with Germany after the Locarno Pact, but their absence has been regrettable as the first serious rift in the League's comjSpsition, and its complete mending will be universally welcome in token of its undimmed prestige.