ANGLO-IRISH TREATY

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 12015, 18 December 1924, Page 5

ANGLO-IRISH TREATY

REGISTRATION BY LEAGUE. BRITAIN’S PROTEST. Renter’s Telegram'(Received December 17, 7.45 p.m.) GENEVA, December 15. The Secretariat of the League of Nations has issued the text of the letter from the British Foreign Offioe, dated November 27th, in connection with the registration of the AngloIrish treaty of December, 1921, at the Free State Government’s request. The Foreign .Office reiterates that the Government has consistently held that neither the League nor any conventions concluded under the auspices of the League are intended to govern inter-Empire relations; therefore they consider Article 18 of the Covenant does not apply to the document under notice.

“A MATTER OF DUTY”

FREE STATE’S ARGUMENT. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received December 17, 9.35 p.m.) LONDON, December 16. Tba “Daily Telegraph” correspondent in Dublin reports that the Free State Government has issued a statement, pointing out that it was the Free State’s duty, as a member of the League, to register a treaty made with TQngland, and failure to do so would hare meant repudiation of the Coven, antTbs “Daily Expreffi” correspondent says that some quarters of Dublin regard the British action as a move to prevent appeal to the League on the Ulster boundary question. “Every treaty of international engagement entered into by any member of the League shall be forthwith registered with the Secretariat, and Bhall as soon as possible be published by it. No such treaty, or international engagement shall be binding until sa registered.”—Article 18 of the League Covenant. The present difficulty arises because the Free State (like New Zealand), while an integral part of the British Empire is also a mgpiber of the .League.