LEAGUE FIASCO

Southland Times, Issue 19822, 19 March 1926, Page 7

LEAGUE FIASCO

ASSEMBLY MEETS BRAZIL’S ATTITUDE EXPLAINED “A BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT” (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) Geneva, Mar. 17. In the League Assembly Signor Mellefranco, reading a statement from the ■ Brazilian Government, contended that I South America should have more equitable representation on the Council. He much regretted that Germany could not be admitted to the League at- present, but declared that his instructions were irrevocable. Sir Austen Chamberlain, after announcing his inability to propose Germany’s admission, said he was profoundly happy that all the difficulties among the Locarno signatories had been removed. If they had been the only obstacle to Germany’s admission to membership of the League and a permanent scat on the Council, this pledge for stability and peace would have been realised, as they | had earnestly hoped it might have been. It I was indeed a tragedy that another difficulty I had arisen, but the Locarno signatories were determined that the good work of peace, reconciliation and co-operation shall not be interrupted. “I have discharged my task,” he added. “It is a bitter disappointment to me that what I have striven for and what seemed well within our grasp, must be postponed; but I am sure the Assembly will share my hope and confidence that the question shall roe adjourned only in order to make certain that Germany will take her rightful place at the next meeting of the Assembly.” Sir Austen Chamberlain paid an eloquent tribute to Sweden and Czecho-Slovakia for their noble spirit of self-sacrifice and generosity in making possible the removal of dif--1 ficulties among the Locarno signatories. ■ M. Briand also paid a tribute to Czechoslovakia. He said he was profoundly coni vinced that the remaining difficulties would be overcome and the League would emerge ! stronger than ever. Though the present * situation was a cruel one, and he deplored I any event which undid the work of ■ Locarno, the present difficulties would disappear. Re-organisation was necessary, because it was humiliating that the League should be exposed to such events. He said France regretted more than anyone that . Germany was not joining the League this session. He paid a tribute to Germany’s facing the event without ill-humour and he moved a motion regretting that present I circumstances would prevent Germany’s entry and hoping the matter would be ■ settled in September. j Baron Ishii, preriding, paid a warm ’ tribute to the spirit of self-sacrifice shown iby Sweden and Czecho-Slovakia. He proposed the appointment of a Special Committee to study the problems confronting the Council.—Reuter. SUPER-STATE IMPOSSIBLE YET. SIR AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN’S ADMISSIONS. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Geneva, Mar. 17. “We have not yet reached the time when we can create a super-State over the world,” wearily declared Sir Austen Chamberlain at a reception to journalists, obviously fatigued after the week’s work of 16 hours daily. He said he was convinced that any attempt to govern by a majority in the Council would break down finally. He acknowledged the help the dominions reprei sentatives had given him. He said he conj stantly called them together to place them in full possession of the facts. —Reuter. THE ASSEMBLY DEBATE. GERMANS LISTEN-IN BY WIRELESS. ALBANLA CAUSES A STIR. Geneva, Mar. 17. The Assembly adopted M. Briand’s motion after a statement by various delegates. Dr Loudon (Holland) expressed dissatisfaction at the failure to admit Germany. He said I the Assembly expected the League would I not be again exposed to such an event. Dr Nansen said he hoped Ger- * many’s admission would be secured in September. The Rumanian delegate gave an assurance of co-operation of the Little Entente in the interests of peace. M. Zahle (Denmark)emphasised that the Assembly was not responsible for the pre—j sent difficulties. The Albanian delegate caused a stir by indicating that the Assembly was sum- | moned to admit Germany and demanding a i vote thereon immediately, but the president j put M. Briand’s proposal. i The German delegates listened by wireless at their hotel to the speeches of the Assembly and were most impressed by the declarations of Sir Austen Chamberlain and M. Briand, especially M. Briand’s warm expression of friendship for Germany with the words, ‘The League must now retrieve its lost position,” together with the expression of the hope that the work of the League would not be arrested but would continue to progress for the benefit of humanity with ' which Baron Ishii closed the momentous session. Signor Mellefranco, in the course of his opening statement, said the work of Locarno must find a place within the framework of the League. It was not for the League to find a place within the framework of the political constitution of Locarno. He added that the Council cannot refuse to recognise the loyalty of Brazil or the high reasons inspiring her conduct.—A. <fc N.Z. GERMANY’S APPLICATION TO STAND. (Rec. 53 pan.) Geneva, Mar. 17. Before the German delegation left for home the official spokesman announced that they did not intend withdrawing their application for membership.—A. & N.Z. A PESSIMISTIC TONE. PROBABLE RESULTS REVIEWED. WHO IS BRAZIL’S ALLY? (Rec. 830 pan.) London, March 18. The extent of the Geneva set-back to European settlement is already shown by the crop of new issues being raised in all quarters. The most important concerns the fate of the Locarno Treaty itself. It is stated by responsible papers such as the Daily Telegraph tha: the Treaty lacks legal force so long as Germany is outside the League, which France appears to have overlooked in her eagerness to reconstitute the League Council. Other quarters suggest that the Locarno spirit having waned, it may be advisable to re-examine the guarantees’ offered to France and Germany by Britain which were not approved unanimously but have been accepted hitherto because it was argued that possible dangers were rendered innocuous by the spirit of the Treaty if not by the text. It is indicated also that pressure by claimants to seats on the Council will not cease with the postponement but will more likely increase. Certainly attention will most probably be given to the question of a dominion seat. Finally, there is the unsolved mystery of the obduracy of Brazil, whose own chances of re-election are considered most remote. The Daily Telegraph's diplomatie correspondent states that Italy is openly accused of having encouraged Brazil, while Berlin Nationalist newspapers without qualification similarly indict Mussolini. 'Die Daily Herald’s Geneva correspondent says Grandi, Mussolini’s Under-Secretary of Foreign Affairs, told Italian Pressmen that anything aati-Braaiiaa seat to Italy woaid,

be censored. The suspicion of Italy is so general that the Brazilian delegates had been dubbed “Mellolini-Franco.” The Paris Press refuses to accept Sir Austen Chamberlain’s description of the affair as a tragedy. Indeed, the more reactionary are inclined to be jubilant at Germany’s rebuff. Le Journal des Debate says, “Germany, if admitted, would have intrigued against the Little Entente, so it is not for us to reproach Brazil.” The London Press generally reaffirms ite faith in the League’s future. While strongly criticising the recent wrangling the Daily Telegraph asks, “Where will the author of the Locarno settlement be half a year hence ? Neither M. Briand’s nor Dr. Luther’s Governments can be confident of surviving so long.” The Morning Post considers that it is now made clear that the power of individual members of the Council to veto any proposal mav be used to dangerous effect. The Daily Chronicle and the Daily News blame M. Briand and Sir Austen Chamberlain. The Times, declaring that the League knows now the restricted nature of ite own powers, asks, “Has any interested party been supporting Brazil? Does this strange obduracy imply some obscure movement of American protest against attempts to subordinate the League to the immediate purposes of Europe?” The Daily Herald, while affirming that Mussolini hates the League and saw his chance and took it, blames Sir Austen Chamberlain for encouraging the intriguers prior to the Assembly, and adds, “If he has not the decency to resign, he ought to be dismissed.” The Financial Times says disappointment at the breakdown was reflected on the Stock Exchange, Brazilian stocks displaying considerable weakness. The Financial News remarks that there is nothing for financiers to do until better counsels prevail than to walk warily and hold tighter the reins of credit.—A. and N.Z.