GENEVA DEBATE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23500, 14 May 1938, Page 13

GENEVA DEBATE

THE CASE FOR ABYSSINIA MR JORDAN'S CONTENTION “RETURN TO JUNGLE LAWS” (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) GENEVA, May 12. Mr W. J. Jordan, speaking in the Abyssinian debate, vigorously opposed Lord Halifax. He said: “This is a return to the laws of the jungle and is a direct denial of the League’s principles and another retreat from the principle of collective security New Zealand stands by non-recogni-tion of the resolution, and still considers it most necessary that the Covenant should remain in force. She deplores anything that weakens it. There is no justification for granting individual States a choice in this question.”

Dr Wellington Koo deprecated force in the settlement of an international crisis. China did not subscribe to Britain’s proposals. M. Comnen (Roumania), on behalf of the Little Entente, supported England and France. After the adjournment delegates agreed that the debate was one of the saddest in the history of the League. NEW ZEALAND’S ATTITUDE STANDING BY THE COVENANT GENEVA, May 12. (Received May 13, at 5.5 p.m.) In the course of his speech at Geneva, Mr Jordan said:— “ It is a sign of some progress that the monarch of an aggrieved country can state a case and be heard by representatives of more fortunate countries. We trust this spirit will grow until international relations can be discussed at the table without recourse to killing each other by men bearing no ill-will against each other. The New Zealand Government is of the" opinion that there is no material fault with the Covenant as it stands, the fault lying in the failure to apply it. New Zealand believes that the League should not divest itself of responsibility or condone aggression. If recognition is accorded it should be by a general resolution of the League. Surely the League was formed for the purpose of safeguarding the independence of States, The tragedy of retreat from collective security is to-day’s compromise between leaving the League and remaining. loyal to the Covenant.” AMERICA’S DEFINITE STAND CONQUEST NOT RECOGNISED WASHINGTON, May 12. (Received May 13, at 10 p.m.) In response to Press Conference questions whether a change in national policy was contemplated in view of the League of Nations’ debate regarding Ethiopia, Mr Cordell Hull stated that the United States stands squarely upon its policy of refusal to recognise territory gained by force or violation of existing treaties. THE DEBATE CLOSED NO RESOLUTION SUBMITTED GENEVA, May 12. Dr Munters, in declaring the debate closed, said the majority of the Council favoured the British viewpoint. No resolution was submitted.