THE LEAGUE.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 March 1920, Page 5

THE LEAGUE.

DISTRIBUTION OF VOTES. AMERICA'S FIRM ATTITUDE, By Telegraph.—Press Assn Copyright. Washington, March 11. Senator Lodge (Leader of the Republicans), debating in the Senate President Wilson's letter to Senator G. M. Hitchcock (Leader of the Democrats), wid it was unfortunate that President Wilson had declared the French militarist element wa3 defeated at the Peace Conference, but had now regained control. The reference to the. Presidential distrust of diplomats as capable of working for the world'* salvation waa equally unhappy, while his allusions to Italy as a country merely seeking her own self-protection were similarly unwise-

The Senate re-adopted by 37 votes to 29 the reservation providing for equality of voting power in the League of Nations.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

ARTICLE TEN IN DISPUTE. COMPROMISE THOUGHT HOPELESSNew York, March 11. The Washington correspondent of the Times says the work of drafting the compromise to Article 10 is not" progressing favourably, and many discouraged Senators have expressed their hopelessness of reaching a compromise which will be acceptable to the whole Senate. It is felt that the Republicans as well as a small number of Democrats who are dissatisfied with President Wilson's attitude, are now attempting lo fasten the rejection of the Treaty upon him.

LORD GREY'S LETTER, A PERSONAL EXPLANATION. New York, March 10. Viscount Grey cabled the New York Times as follows: —

"My letter was written on my own initiative. It was given to the editor of the London Times to publish when no thought desirable. The letter was intended primarily for British readers, but I assumed that other people, including American';, would print it if they thought it ireful. lam glad any of them should have done so."'

[Lord Grey's letter, published on Feb. 2, urged Britons not to be impatient about the reservations to the Treaty as he thought America would be an important factor in the League of Nations if she entered as a willing partner.]

RIGHT TO DECLARE WAR. AMERICA WANTS FREE ACTION. Received March 12, 11.50 am. Washington, March 9. The Republican leaders have assented to a modification of Article Ten, placing with Congress not only the power of providing military and naval forces, but reserving to Congress the right of declaring war.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

A MEETING IX PARIS. NATIONS JOINING THE LEAGUE. Received March 12, 7.30. p.m. London, March 11. A meeting of the Council of the League of Nations is to lie held in Paris on March 12th. It will appoint a. Commission of inquiry which will proceed to Russia early in April. It is noteworthy that twelve of thirteen Nations which did not sign the Treaty at Versailles, but who were invited to join the League, have definitely accepted.—lmperial Service.