The League of Nations

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 2, 4 September 1923, Page 5

The League of Nations

FIRST IMPORTANT CRISIS. London, September 3. The Geneva correspondent of the Morning Post says that directly the Greek protest was received the delegates to the League of Nations recognised that the League was facing its first really important crisis, and its whole future depended, upon the action now taken. It is freely asserted that Italy has directly challenged the authority of the League. By occupying Corfu she committed an act of Mar; in fact, she declared war against tho fifty-one States tin the League and automatically set in motion the machinery of Article IC. Feeling hardened when at was known that the killed (included Greek and Armenian refugees from Anatolia. The correspondent states the position is obscure. It its difficult to believe that England would consent to sever economic relations wiith Italy, or turn an ally into a. deadly enemy. If England refuses to participate, the League will brandish a thunder bolt in vain.

GREEK APPEAL ADJOURNED. GRAVE VIEW OF ITALIAN ACTION. (The Times). (Received 11.0 a.m.) London, September 3. The Times' Geneva correspondent says: Two important points emerge from the Greek appeal to the League CouncilFirstly, Italy knew that Greece had submitted the dispute to the League before ordering the occupation of Corfu; thus Italy' B action was a direct challenge to the League; Secondly, Greece has not demanded the application of the sanctions to Italy for a. breach of the League covenant under Article 16, but has left it f nr the Council to apply the sanctions if the appeal bo .sustained. The Council summarily rejected the Italian contention that the matter did not concern the Council, M. Brnnting declaring that Italy's claim would establish «n intolerable precedent. The Frenchman, M. Hanstaux, significantly remarked that the settlement of the Danzig dispute instanced the League's pacific usefulness. The Bnitish were merely of the opinion that the Council was obligee! ' to act, though gir Robert CNJ laser

unofficially made it clear that the British delegates would do all in their power to insist on the question being left in the League's hands. The Greek appeal was ostensibly adjourned to allow the Italians to present the papers, but really to give tho Council time to communicate to Rome tho Council's 'grave view of Italy's action. *«HUSH!'S i The Times' Paris correspondent says a writer in the Journal des Debats was probably right when he says the advice issued to official circles amounts to "Hush! Do not criticise the Italian Cabinet; we have friends there who may furnish useful support on the Reparations business." Semji-oificial reports from Rome show appreciation of the French attitude; nevertheless, there is a grow ing disposition to welcome a solu-

tion from the League of Nations without abating condemnation of the abominable murder. GERMANY INTERESTED. The Times' Berlin correspondent say s Germany is mainly interested in the crisis for two reasons—Firstly, fche may learn what sort of justice is to be expected from the League; Secondly, the disturbance of the balance of power in the Near East may react to Germany's benefit, by inducing France to reduce the Ruhr commitments.

But this hope is in no way generally shared. Many fear tliafc the liberation of the Ruhr by such a method would prove "Dead Sea Fruit."