BEHIND THE SCENES

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12391, 10 March 1926, Page 7

BEHIND THE SCENES

GREAT ACTIVITY AT GENEVA GERMANS REFUSE TO BARGAIN PREPARED TO GO HOME By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received March 9, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 9. The good ship League of Nations remains stranded until the return of M. Briand or liis successor. Even then it appears likely that it must navigate troubled waters. In tho meantime the Geneva Assembly opened tamely. Sir Austen Chamberlain was appointed chairman of the committee whose duty is to consider Germany’s application, and ascertain whether she ha 6 fulfilled her international obligations and given sufficient guarantees to do so in future. Viscount Cecil, with true Cecilian calm, sat at the lake side conversing with Dr. Nansen. Behind the scenes, however there is great activity, with everyone trying apparently to discover how far the others are prepared to retreat. The only persons really calm beside Viscount CeciPhre Dr. Luther and

Herr Stresemann, who are just killing time and refuse to bargain, although it is stated that they threatened pains and penalties, and were prepared to pack up and return home if there nothing doing. ASSEMBLY ADJOURNS, (Received March 9. 7.5 p.m.) GENEVA, March 8. Addressing the Assembly after hie election, President Da Costa dwelt on the new spirit of Locarno which had made to-day’s fraternity, and which to-morrow might extend to all the nations of the earth. After electing six vice-president* and members of two committees, one of which will report on Germany’s application for admission to the League, the Assembly adjourned sine die. There is great public interest in the proceedings, and the galleries were packed. ALL AWAITING BRIAND. Tho Dominion delegates have no enthusiasm for an enlarged Council, but there is a feeling that in the end all will come righx. Generally speaking, there is a hope that a satisfactory solution will be reached when M. Briand, who has gone to Paris in. connection with the Cabinet crisis, returns on March 9th. THE DOMINIONS. The Morning Pest’s Geneva correspondent states authoritatively that Sir Austen Chamberlain at the Dominions conference failed \o win over. Ireland and Canada to his viewpoint.