LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 3, 12 September 1927, Page 5

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

IMPORTANT ADVANCES. GERMANY AND ARBITRATION Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. GENEVA, September 10. Tlio agitations and heart-burnings of the past tew days over Poland’s intentions disappeared at the !ato afternoon session of the (Assembly, when M. Sokal presented the actual resolution. its wording lias undergone many alterations, many jurists of various nationalities having taken a hand in drafting, amending and re-drafting it. Last night’s form was accepted earlier in the day by the “Big Three” —Sir Austen Chamberlain, M. Briand and Dr. Stresemann. it dfas altered again at’/the instance of Warsaw by the inclusion of an appeal to mom hers of the League to conclude pacts of non-aggres-sion. Those are equally disliked by Great Britain and France. The former, a,s explained previously, because they might be the beginning of a movement which would eventually enlarge her present obligations, particularly in the event of Russian aggression against some member of the League-

The resolution was finally submitted omitting the appeal for pacts. M. Briand addressing journalists, made one of the greatest speeches in his career. He paid a tribute to Die reciprocal friendliness of the atmosphere of Geneva and said that, though, the work of the League seemed slow, the power of peace would become epidemic. Sir Austen Chamberlain, eloquently speaking in French, said h© was pleased at the adoption of M. Briand’s advice. Herr Stresemann advocated peace and disarmament, and announced, amidst applause, Germany’s willingness to sign the optional convention on arbitration. There could b© no spirit of peace while there were occupied territories. M. Vandervelde, amplifying lii uS references to the two camps, namely, the victors mid vanquished, said that if he were speaking purely personally he would have referred to the anxiety in certain parts of the world over the deplorable spirit of those endeavouring to divide it into conquerors and conquered, establishing a situation in which some countries could arm unlimitedly and others be entirely disarmed. I Speaking on behalf of his Government, he said it recognised that the nations must disarm and limit armaments. The Assembly must not burke the problems, nor attempt to settle them by a . formula, but submit genuine solutions to the nations. GERMAN ACCEPTANCE., GENEVA, September 11. Dr. Stresemann concluded his speech with the important announcement that ho intended, during the present session, to sign, on behalf of Germany, the optional clauses of the Court of Arbitration of th© League--1 This means the compulsory acceptance of the Court’s decision in any dispute between nations who have not signed the optional clauses. LAST CLOUDS REMOVED. M. Briand declared Dr. Stresemann’s speech removed the last clouds. France and Germany were now able to meet openly and discuss the most delicate question which had previously seemed inconceivable. Some people seeking profit from the production of conflict and dissension.

were aiming at the rupture of the League, but all members of the League belonged to one family working for universal peace. Franco more than ever favoured the obligatory jurisdiction of arbitration. M. Briuud asked whether public discussions on disarmament helped the cause of peace when legislators were busv re-organising military forces. They must consider public feeling. It was useless to say there was no means of security for the execution of the League’s recommendations. Nobody, expected to reach the goal in one spurt. it required an act of faith, and all must make the same'effort, for if war broke out all would be dragged in. M. Briand declared the principle of arbitration was progressing, as evidenced. by Dr. Stresemann’s acceptance of compulsory arbitration. The dogs of war bad been unleashed in the recent Greco-Bulgarian conflict, but when the League had ordered suspension, both parties had honourably obeyed. This alone justified the existence of the League. MANDATES COMMISSION.

GENEVA, September 10. The Council of tire League of Nations at a private meeting appointed as German member of the Mandates Commission Dr. Ludwig I\qstl, a prominent industrialist. Dr. Kastl had wide experience in German colonies and tpent ten years in South Africa, where he remained after the war as commissioner to the British administration. Later he was the head of the Reparations Department in the German Ministry of Finance.