LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Otago Witness, Issue 3783, 14 September 1926, Page 30

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

OPENING OF ASSEMBLY. GENEVA, September G.

Dr E. Benes (Czecho-Slovakia), in his Dpening address to the League of Nations, claimed that the year's record showed the Increasing amplitude of the League s work, fresh responsibility, and ever greater service in the interests of peace; but he refrained from sounding a of triumph or official optimism, because there were obstacles which the League could not hope to surmount without difficulties. Substantial results had been achieved regarding disarmament, with which they had been concerned since the League was created. Doubtless the disarmament problem was not capable of solution in its entirety, but they were appreciably nearer the goal. Be trusted that Spain’s noble sentiments would prevent her abandonipg her share in the common responsibilities. He also hoped that Turkey would become a member. All would welcome her. Dr Nintchitch, Foreign Minister of Jugo-Slavin, has been elected President of the Assembly, securing 42 out of 48 votes.

ADMISSION OF GERMANY. GENEVA, September 8. Much history was crowded into two tense minutes at this morning’s plenary session of the League. At last Germany is within the League’s fold. It w r as not achieved without a repercussion from that unpleasant fortnight in March, but finally on a point of strategy, backed by quiet suasion, all the trouble disappeared like the morning mists. As was expected, the Scandinavian group made a graceful protest and a more graceful surrender to the League's overwhelmingly evident wish to put the coping stone on the Locarno structures. The Dutch delegate, expressing his anticipatory joy at Germany’s entry, emphasised the mistake in linking up her election to the Council with a motion for increasing the non-permanent seats. Dr Nansen followed with a happy re ference to the impending emergence from an unhappy past, but he objected that he had only learned for the first time that day the details of the increase for which the members were now asked to vote. The speeches made it abundantly plain that, however damaging the unpleasant intrigues in March might have been, the League was now determined that everything should be conducted in the light of day. Th# Assembly, amid a buzz of excitement, then proceeded to take an oral alphabetical vote. Albania, had the honour of the first vote. Thereafter it was alternately “Oui” and “Yes,” among which Bir Austen Chamberlain’s almost devout and defiant answer was the most outstanding. Later Sir Francis Bell followed with New Zealand’s affirmative, and Germany was unanimously declared a member of the League. Wave after wave of applause swept the benches, even the press and strangers’ galleries, where applause is ordinarily tabooed, joining in. After the motion for the admission of Germany was adopted came the ticklish point of the motion giving Germany a permanent seat on the Council and increasing the non-permanent seats by three. M. Mott a (Switzerland), in moving the adoption of the Reorganisation Committee’s report, said that if the questions of Germany’s admission and increasing the permanent seats were separated there would not be unanimity in the Council. Switzerland ardently desired Germany's inclusion. The discussion on the allocation of permanent seats to the Great Powers might be reopened at a distant date. Dr Nansen walked towards the dais, and asked the President what it all meant, but after a whispered conversation with Sir Austen Chamberlain, who assured him that everything was plain and above board, he resumed his seat. Dr Nintchitch (President) clinched the position by declaring that the Assembly’s previous assent to an immediate decision on all the clauses precluded further discussion so it became either a choice of “Yes,” “No,” or abstention. Finally all the Scandinavians contributed to another unanimous affirmative, which gave Germany a seat on the Council and added three non-permanent members, to be chosen later. A telegram telling the Germans to come post haste to Geneva was already ticking t-o-Berlin, and Friday will see them seated among the guardians of world peace. Most of the delegates are ready to pay a tribute to Sir Austen Chamberlain’s persistence at Locarno, and Viscount Cecil’s skill at Geneva in extricating the Council’s reorganisation scheme from the muddle created in March. In reply to the news that Germany had been admitted to the League Dr Streaemann telegraphed: “Leaving instantly. Bringing Germany’s Locarno ratification.” It is now proposed that all the ratifications shall be deposited with the League during the week-end.

NON PERMANENT SEATS. GENEVA, September 8. The Dominion representatives, Sir Austen Chamberlain and Viscount Cecil privately discussed the question of the probable applicants for the vacant non-per-manent seats. It is understood that the dominion representatives declared that they were not prepared to press their claims, but it seems to be understood that ♦his does not imply a surrender of the right to bring up the claims in the future It is believed that it was agreed that the

point should not be brought before the Assembly. THE MANDATED AREAS. GENEVA, September 8. Sir Austen Chamberlain states that the Council will not prooeed further with the new mandatory questionnaire till Australia and New Zealand have had time to submit their views on economic equality in the mandated territories and the right of petitioners in the areas to approach the commission direct. SOME INSIDE HISTORY. GENEVA, September 9. An illuminating story lies behind the revival of the year old talk that the dominions should hold a rotating permament seat on the Council. At present the only permanent dominion representative here is the Canadian, Dr Riddell. This new embarrassment in the seals struggle was mooted over the week-end and there is reason to believe that the Irish Free State delegates were sounded, but apparently the Australians were not approached. The project was further discussed when Sir George Foster (Canada) arrived and the news got abroad. Sir George Foster thereupon announced that no action was contemplated at present. It is understood that what really happened was that the British delegation got wind of the affair and quietly but firmly told the instigators that it was a for Empire discussion, if at all, and that the present was no time even t'' think about it. COPING-STONE TO LOCARNO. GENEVA, September 9. The German delegation has arrived. Dr Stresemann, in an interview, emphasised that with Germany’s entry to the League the Locarno agreements became operative. He added that the success of the Locarno Pact proved that cooperation and good faith were essential to the reconstruction of Europe in which Germany was ready to assist. FRENCH COMMENTS. PARIS, September 9. The newspapers express general satisfaction at Germany’s entry to the League of Nations, but some express anxiety regarding her attitude. The Ere Nouvelle says: “In giving Germany an honourable place in the Council of the League we have averted a solution by force, and have brought dangerously awakening national energies into submission to European discipline.”

Le Matin declares that Germany is not entering with all the obligations of the other members, since she has made reservations regarding Article X of the Covenant, and has signed a treaty with the Soviet, promising not to join any measures against it. “Nevertheless,” it says, “we hope the important role that Germany is going to play at Geneva will inspire her with the spirit of peace.” The ultra-Conservative Le Gaulois says that the entry of Germany marks the complete rehabilitation of Germany, which haR always rejected the judicial sanctions and treaties, notwithstanding which she is going to collaborate in peace with the Great Powers.

AN HISTORIC RECONCILIATION. GENEVA, September 9. The German delegates took their 6eats in the Assembly, and were welcomed by Di Nintchitch. Dr Stresemann, in reply, expressed heartfelt thanks for the reception accorded to Germany. “It has taken a long time.” he said, “to overcome the difficulties regarding her admittance. We are now entering into close co-operation with our one-time opponents—a step which is perhaps the most important ever taken.” Dr Stresemann urged co-operation in the spirit of Locarno He read his speech in German in a loud, clear voice, and the French translation was read out directly Dr Stresemann left the rc strum, and the English version followed. The various nationals applauded loudly, and each laid great stress on the importance of disarmament and the Permanent Court of International Justice. Dr Stresemann added that the fact that Germany was again among the nations with whom she had waged war proved that the League was capable of directing the political development of mankind along new channels. The surest founda tion of peace was a policy of mutual respect and understanding. Even before her entry into the League Germany had proved her desire for such co-operation by taking the initiative which led the way to Locarno. He regretted the absence of Spain and Brazil, and hoped that they would soon rejoin. Dr Stresemann concluded: “The League must achieve universality, embracing all nations on a basis of equality. Germany is determined to adopt this ideal as a basis for her policy. We belong to peoples who are seeking to emerge to the light from outer darkness. May the League’s work be based or. ideals of peace, freedom, and unity, to which we pledge our earnest devotion.” M. Briand said that the war spirit must evermore be discarded in the League’s activities. He said he was profoundly convinced that Brazil and Spain won*d return to the fold, and he assured Dr Stresemann of France’s whole-hearted cooperation. France and Germany had put the bloody encounters of the battlefield behind them, and would leave the future difficulties to that Justice of Peace, the League of Nations. The League’s work must be carried on in broad daylight, with co operation among all nations, in which France would loyally assist. M. Briand paid a tribute to the labours of Dr Stresemann and Sir Austen Chamber* laid which had made Locarno possible. M. Briand stressed the fact that only a few years had elapsed since the most frightful wnr had convulsed the world. The battlefields were still saturated with blood, bnt the opposing nations were now meeting

in that peaceful assembly, desiring to collaborate in universal peace. France and Germany had no need to show any more of the heroism which both had pro\ed in the war. “We have won our gloiy. Our future together is for peace and brotherhood,” he added, turning to Dr Stresemann. “If you were only as a German and 1 as a Frenchman the agreement would not be easy, but as members of a great body like the League all will go well. Henceforth our path is one of peace and progress. Arbitration spells peace. ”

PARIS, September 11. The newspapers are unanimous in stating that yesterday provided a spectacle of real Franco-German reconciliation, but Le Matin points cut that though the re* coi eiliation is one of the sensational things of history none of the material difficulties has been removed. It predicts that Ger* mrny is likely to ask that the fraternal equality restored 3t Geneva should be expressed in precise facts. The French Government must have a policy ready to meet this situation and not allow itself to be adroitly managed by intermediaries who would ceprive Fiance of any benefit from its concessions.

RESIGNATION OF SPAIN. GENEVA, September 11. Spain has sent a Note intimating heT withdrawal from the League. The resignation cannot take effect for two years, but, like Brazil, Spain will probably not attend the League meetings henceforth.

lAt Thursday’s meeting of the Dunedin branch of the League of Nations Union the following resolution was unanimously passed: “That this Council desires to place on record its profound gratification on the admission of Germany into the permanent council of the League of Nations. It regards this step as the most important taken since the inception of the League and is convinced that it will furnish an enormous incentive in the promotion of the interests for which the League stands.”