GENEVA DISCUSSIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19892, 10 March 1928, Page 11

GENEVA DISCUSSIONS.

HUNGARY AND RUMANIA.

SECEDERS FROM THE LEAGUE

NOTE TO SPAIN AND BRAZIL.

BRITAIN AND ARBITRATION.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright,

(Received March 9, 5.5 p.m.)

A. and N.Z.-Sun. GENEVA, March 9. The Council of the League of Nations was occupied for most of its session yesterday in considering a dispute about the claims of Hungarian landowners in Transylvania against the Rumanian Goverment. A long oratorial duel between M. Titulescu (Rumania) and M. Apponyi (Hungary) proved fruitless. The Council will possibly suggest a solution to-day. A proposal was unanimously adopted to communicate with Brazil and Spain asking if their reasons for leaving the League still exist, and adding that the League attaches great importance to their collaboration. Sir Austen Chamberlain (Britain), M. Briarjd (France), Herr Stresemann (Germany) and other delegates warmly approved the proposal. In an interview about the work of the Committee on Arbitration and Security, Lord Cushendun (Britain) said that in view of the experience of Britain and America in regard to arbitration, model treaties would probably be of no value to them, but European States less familiar with arbitration might find such treaties useful for framing a union. They might also be encouraged to conclude regional bilateral treaties. It was very difficult for Britain to sign general treaties unlimited in their scope. Lord Cushendun said he must again emphasise that the Covenant of the League afforded the best measure of security that could be obtained. Other pacts were intended to fill imaginary gaps. He eould not say how far they would lead toward a practical measure of disarmament. SECRETARY - GENERAL. PROBABLE RETIREMENT. DR. BENES AS SUCCESSOR. $ (Received March 9, 5.5 p.m.) A. and N.Z. PARIS, March 8. It is understopd that Sir Eric Drummond wishes to retire from the position of Secretary-General of the League of Nations in order to return to England. The Foreign Minister of Czecho-Slovakia, Dr. Benes, is mentioned as his likely successor.- . SPAIN AND LEAGUE. QUESTION OF REJOINING. STATEMENT BY DE RIVERA. (Received March 9, 10 p.m.) A. ancl N.Z.-Sun. MADRID. March 9. The Prime 'Minister of Spain, General Primo de Rivera, after a meeting of the Cabinet, said: "We learned with pleasure that the Council of the League of Nations had raised the question of Spain's return to Geneva. We are pleased that Spain should be considered a useful member of the League." GAS IN WARFARE. OPPOSITION BY SOVIET. RIGHT TO RETALIATE. A. and N.Z. MOSCOW, March S. The Central Executive of the Soviet has ratified the Geneva protocol against the use of poison gas in warfare, but has reserved the right to be free to retaliate against those who violate the agreement.