WORLD’S POLICEMAN.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 September 1924, Page 5

WORLD’S POLICEMAN.

TASK FOR BRITISH NAVY, UNDER LEAGUE CONTROL. TO CHECK AGGRESSORS, ay TalftfrapH.—Press Assn—-Copyright. Received Sept. 15, 7.35 p.m. London, Sept. 15. The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent says it is certain that the Continental powers at Geneva are making a deliberate attempt to involve the British Empire in commitments of an exacting naval character. The question relates to the League’s action under article sixteen against a covenant-breaking State. It is now proposed that the British Navy should be placed unreservedly at the disposal of the League in order to enforce an award by the Hague World Court or a majority vote of the League Council. Certain Powers also propose that Britain should act as constable of the seas in any conflict, the British Navy having an absolute obligation to put into effect an economic boycott or blockade. Such a duty would be financially onerous, and moreover it is easy to see that it might involve Britain in a serious international quarrel over these matters. Indeed, American opinion is already commenting with some acerbity on the proposal, which is wrongly ascribed to Britain, though really it is a French proposal.