LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16975, 5 March 1926, Page 7

LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

BELGIAN PREMIER'S VIEWS/

WOULD COUNCIL BE UNWEILDY?

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. , •';:' BRUSSELS, March 3.

In the Chamber, M. Vandervelde, referring to the question of the Council of the League said Belgium would periodically have to run the risk of not having her seat renewed. He thought it desirable to counter this risk by means of a regulation fixing definitely the duration of such mandates'and the conditions of re-election. This regulation had been framed, and, if ratified by Spain, would come into force as an amendment of .article 4 of the covenant. He declared it was a serious mistake to describe the new candidatures for permanent seats on the Council as a counterpoise to the entry of Germany, and spoke of the possibility of .other States than the present candidates demanding permanent seats on the Council. Thus the Council would be compelled' to create fresh permanent members and consequently increase the number of non-permanent seats. Thus they would have a council of 18, 20, and even more members, and as a result the Assembly would be discredited in comparison with the Council which would include nearly all the politically important States, while the States members of the Council would suffer dangerous loss of influence, and there would inevitably arise an unwieldly council and a small committee which would be the really decisive body. M. Vandervelde concluded by re-echoing Sir A. Chamberlain's desire to go to Geneva with a free hand and seek a conciliatorv solution. ■

THE COUNCIL SEATS

OPTIMISTIC FEELING IN PARLIAMENT.

LONDON, March 4

A crowded House of Commons was surprised at the postponement of the statement in connection with the League Council seats, especially as it is understood a lengthy Cabinet meeting reached an agreement on the basis of Germany's unconditional admission and the settlement of the other claims thereafter. A more optimistic feeling consequently prevails. <

The Morning Post's Geneva correspondent suggests it will be proposed to Dr. Stresemann during the course of Sunday's pourparlers that Germany first be admitted, then a second Council be held, Germany participating, whereat the Council recommend to the Assembly a single non-permanent seat pending a Commission in accordance with the British suggestion for the purpose of studying the reorganisation of the Council and reporting in September. The correspondent adds ho is definitely assured that no permanent seat will lie granted at present.

The Daily Herald's diplomatic correspondent says that a clear settlement will be made during the informal Sunday conversations which will merely regularise the arrangement being made this week, whereof many essential parts will not be disclosed and the results of hard diplomatic bargaining will be presented to the, world as a new manifestation of the Locarno spirit. The Daily Telegraph affirms the suggestion that a Commission is supported throughout Dominion circles.

MR CHAMBERLAIN'S ANXIETY. DIFFICULTIES TO BE CONFRONTED.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received March 5, 1 p.m.) LONDON, March 4.

In the House of Commons the Prime M mister told Mr Harris there would be ample opportunity at Geneva for discussion by Dominion delegates on the constitution of the League Council. Chi the formal motion for adjournment Mi' Chamberla-n said in view ol the anxiety here and abroad it was only ri >ht there should be a statement of tin British viewpoint on the subject of increasing the Council of the. League o Nations. Personally he felt it to be much easier to increase the difficulties with which they would be confronted at Geneva than to lessen them by anj words ho could use. He confessed they had to watch the controversy with the greatest anxiety. They would [meet at Geneva with many conflicting views, inspired by national feeling and . tradition, but if the« Leaguo was to continue to grow in influence, and power they must at Geneva talk not in their own language, but in the language ot" Europe.