SEAT ON COUNCIL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21910, 20 September 1934, Page 11

SEAT ON COUNCIL

EUSSIA AND LEAGUE, ADMISSION COMPLETED OPPOSITION OUT-VOTED IDEALS OF THE SOVIET By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright GENEVA, Sept. 18 The Assembly of the League of Nations to-day by 39 votes to 3, seven countries abstaining from voting, admitted Russia to the League. The result of the ballot was received in silence. Later the Swiss delegate, M. Motta, again emphasised Switzerland's objections. He declared that the League was undertaking an obvious risk. The Irish Free State delegate, Mr. de Valera, in moving tones, recalled his previous misgivings, also M. Motta's remarks of yesterday. He said the matter specially concerned hundreds of millions of Christians. It was not' sufficient to concern oneself merely with politics. The only way by which one's conscience could be eased was by free Russian Assurances. If these were not given, peace, which could be assured only on a basis of goodwill,--could not be secured. '

Russia was attacking the things that counted most in life. "Speaking as the representative of people who have no quarrel with Russia," said Mr. d« Valera, "I urge the Soviet to proclaim complete liberty of conscience and freedom of worship." \ Portugal and Holland intimated their opposition to the admission of Russia. Subsequently the Assembly, with ten abstentions, granted the Soviet a permanent seat on the Council. The Russian delegation, headed by M. Litvinoff, then entered the room. M. Litvinoff was invited to speak. He explained the Soviet's ideals of government, and added that Russia, in entering the League as a representative of a new social and economic system, waa not renouncing any of its special features, but was preserving her perSonj ality intact.