LEAGUE PRESTIGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21983, 14 December 1934, Page 13

LEAGUE PRESTIGE

STRONGEB POSITION TWO DIFFICULTIES SETTLED ' . ANXIETY MUCH RELIEVED By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright British Wireless RUGBY, Dec. 12 The Geneva meetings of the Council of the League of Nations, which ended yesterday, have unquestionably strengthened the interr national efficacy of the Leagtie. Within a few days, the anxiety and uncertainty which the prospect of the Saar plebiscite had caused for many months past have been completely relieved and replaced by a feeling of confidence that the event will pass peacefully. A further urgent threat to the European situation was removed by the handling of the Yugoslav-Hungarian dispute in a manner which, although indicating a certain hesitation on the part of the League, showed its possibilities and powers in a most favourable light. The conciliatory method of settling disputes has been vindicated in a manner which should ensure further successes. British circles express particular satisfaction at the co-operation shown at Geneva by the French and Italian statesmen, M. Laval and Baron Aloisi, and it is hoped that this will be strengthened by the projected early visit of M. Laval to Rome.

Need lor Germany's Return

A further point made in the British comment is the "need for the return of Germany to Geneva, if only to play her natural part as a counterpoise to certain increasingly active influences." Major-General J. E. S. Brind, Com-mander-in-Chief of the international Saar forces, will leave London for Saarbrucken to-morrow with the members of his.staff.

In addition to the British units previously announced as forming part of the force, a squadron of the 12th Lancers with eight armoured cars will be sent after Christmas. The-units have active service equipment.

Answering Parliamentary questions regarding the recent expulsions of Hungarians from Yugoslavia, the Foreign Secretary, Sir John Simon, said that during the past two or three weeks between 2000 and 3000 Hungarians had been expelled by certain Yugoslav authorities. As the persons concerned were not of Yugoslav nationality the provisions of the treaty with Yugoslavia for the protection of minorities would not therefore apply to them. Effect of Representations" Nevertheless, the British Government was impressed both by the hardships to those concerned and by the importance of avoiding anything which might further embitter the dispute which had been referred to the League Council. Accordingly it had made representations to the Yugoslav Government to bring these expulsions to an end. The Prince Regent, on his return to Yugoslavia on December 8, at once ordered that the expulsions should cease, and he (Sir John) was informed that they had ceased. He did not know whether any of those expelled had yet returned or whether they desired to do so. | ■

Replying to supplementary questions, the Foreign Secretary said he thought it quite true that hardship had heen involved in some cases, but inasmuch as the matter had been met he felt the right course, in the interests of peace relations, was to be well satisfied thai it was ended