LEAGUE OF NATIONS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10207, 18 February 1919, Page 5

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

BEFORE THE THIRD PLENARY SESSION GENERAL EXPRESSION OF FAITH IN SCHEME. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received February 17, 9.40 p.m.) PARIS, February 14. The draft of the League of Nations’ Covenant was laid before the third plenary session. It was not attended by special surroundings. There was a small assemblage of the public at the Quai d’Orsay. Lord Milner was present. M. Clemenceau, with characteristic brevity, called on President Wilson, who immediately read the draft, occupying thirty minutes. President Wilson, in a subsequent speech, made an impressive statement of the ideals of the fourteen nations whoso representatives had unanimously approved of the draft. Other speakers' were Signor Orlando, M. Bourgeois, M. Venizelos, Mr G. N. Barnes, and the Arabian, Chinese, and Japan’s delegates. All the speeches were brief, simple expressions of faith in the scheme, with occasional hints at the possibility of amendment in detail when fully under examination. President Wilson described the simplicity and elasticity of the constitution, and dwelt upon the importance of the labour provision to the labouring people of the world who would come into the foreground of life. He added, “We have done ? with annexation. Helpless people in' conditions suitable for annexation were really an obligation upon us.” Hence his insistence upon the mandatory. Ho further added that although an armed force was in the background, it was in the background. DIVERSE - PRESsToPINION. DISRUPTIVE INFLUENCE OF MANDATORIES. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, February 15. ’ Though the oftrliest comment on the League of Nations is generally optimistic, the Press is still overwhelmed by the magnitude and strangeness of the experiment, and is postponing definite judgment on various points. “The Times” refers approvingly to the bicameral plan as an attempt to solve the difficulty arising out or the technical equality of big and little nations, hut prophesies that disputes between the Lower House and the Executive will largely mark the history of the League. The “Westminster Gazette” says the scheme is clear, boldly outlined, and ingenious. It awaits a great world debate in which- the best brains of all countries should assist the Conference. The “Standard” adheres to the view that the mandatories will prove a disruptive influence, especially when an embittered Germany is admitted to the League. Treaty sateguards accompanying tho full possession of the colonies would be far preferable. SCHEME MARKS NEW ERA IN ,r THOUGHT. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received February 17, 7.10 p.m.) LONDON, February 16. .The League of Nations scheme has had a most friendly reception in the London press. It is regarded almost without exception os marking a now era of thought. The Press considered it President Wilson’s special triumph, hut much of the credit is given to General Smuts. GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER. EXPRESSES’HIS VIEWS ON SUBJECT. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, February 16. Herr Rantzau, Gorman Foreign Minister, speaking in the National Assembly, said that Germany was determined unreservedly to assist in the formation and development of the League of Natiins; but ho feared that her partnership was still regarded with grave mistrust, and that tho programme of tho League as now evolved in Paris was primarily intended to prevent Germany continuing her bellicose policy, to which she was nevertheless utterly disinclined. She must seek to remove distrust. One way to do that was tho reduction of armaments, subject to the necessity of maintaining order at home and security on tho frontiers: