LEAGUE IMPASSE.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 September 1924, Page 5

LEAGUE IMPASSE.

THE ATTITUDE OF JAPAN. PROTOCOL ENDANGERED. JURISDICTION OF COURT. ) AN IMPORTANT POINT. te»— ‘ By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright, Received Sept. 28, 5.5 p.m, London, Sept. 27. At a meeting of the first committee of the League at Geneva, Baron Adatchi (Japanese delegate) proposed that the council should continue its conciliatoryefforts even in the event of a d’.spute being declared by the International Court of Justice to be solely within domestic jurisdiction. Several delegates opposed this, whereupon Baron Adatchi announced that if the request was refused Japan would vote against the whole protocol. The incident caused considerable excitement, but before the adjournment Baron Adatchi withdrew the proposal, at the same time declaring that he would make a reservation regarding the two articles upon which it was based. Baron Adatchi undertook to consider an amendment suggested. The Daily Telegraph’s correspondent, commenting on the incident, says the point is vitally important, resulting in the virtual suspension for the present of the whole work of the conference. It is obvious that the Japanese have in mind principally the immigration laws of America and Australia, upon which they are not prepared merely to accept a decision of the International Court of Justice, which would inevitably favour America and Australia. Japanese intermit also possibly extends to disputes with and concerning China. Baron Adatchi, moving his amendment to enlarge the scope of the council in its dealings with questions stipulated in the covenant as of purely a domestic /character, pointed out that Under the protocol Japan would be entitled to appeal to the council regarding questions like emigration, whilst it was conceivable that a matter such as ‘‘white Australia” would be dragged in. The other articles of the draft protocol were adopted. The committee has thus completed its labours, though it meets again to-morrow for th© purpose passing the final draft. HELP FOR THE STRICKEN’. Received Sept. 28, 5.5 p.m. Geneva, Sept. 27The Assembly adopted a scheme for «n international federation for mutual assistance and relief for peoples overtaken by disaster. It suggested the appointment of a committee to study preliminary questions. The Assembly also adopted the report on the protection of children. SETTLEMENT OF REFUGEES. NEW ZEALAND OBJECTS. Geneva. Sept. 26. Th© concluding days of the Assembly Were marked an intensification of the struggle between the parties regarding legal and moral obligations anu sanctions. Sir Jas. Allen was the first to insist that the Council only was empowered to recommend sanctions. His lead wa.s quickly followed by Italy. Sir James Allen, interviewed, said New Zealand could not accept the theory that the League was legally entitled to call up all the forces at a country’s disposal. His view was that it was a moral, not a legal obligation. If Dr. Benes’ contention was correct h© would be obliged on behalf of New Zealand to make reservations. The Assembly adopted the report regarding th© League scheme for the settlement of refugees with reservations from the South African and New Zealand delegates, who were unable to pledge their Governments to continue financial support beyond th© present year. The scheme involves an outlay of 200,000 francs for the settlement of refugees in 1923. Both Mr. Hofmeyer and Sir James Allen agreed that humanitarian principk. were involved, but thought the character of the work was not strictly ’within the scope of the League’s activities. THE GEORGIAN QUESTION. Geneva, Sept. 25. The Assembly adopted the British, French and Belgian resolution regarding the Soviet attack on Georgia, and asking the Council of the League to watch events. All the epeakers hoped the League would use prudence in dealing with the Georgian question. NEW ZEALAND’S SHARE. Geneva, Sept. 26. Sir James Allen, addressing the Assembly regarding the settlement of Armenian and Russian refugees, said New Zealand subscribed voluntarily probably more than any other country for European refugees. If the League resorted to the taxpayers’ pocket, as suggested, he was afraid voluntary effort would be stemmed completely. He could not pledge New Zealand to make a contribution in 1925. The Dominion had paid the full contribution for 1924, but he could not guarantee its continuation. He was sorry it was necessary to make this reservation, because he was fully in sympathy with the work that was being carried out. j DISARMAMENT PROPOSALS. SOME PROGRESS MADE. Geneva. Sept. 26. The Dominion delegates and the Empire delegate® conferred for an hour this morning. The latter described the progress of the labours of the committee dealing with a disarmament protocol. The Dominion representatives continue to keep their Governments posted regarding the discussions. It is learned that no objections were raised by them, k but requests have been made for explanations of certain points, which were frequently given. Consequently there was complete agreement among the delegates to-d*y. The Disarmament Commission at Geneva accepted a resolution including naval disarmament in the scope of the ■projected June conference.