LEAGUE OF RATIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 September 1926, Page 13

LEAGUE OF RATIONS.

ALLOCATION OF SEATS. THE POSITION OF SPAIN. DISPOSAL OF TANGIER. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Sept. 2. Sir Austen Chamberlain and M. Briand have arrived at Geneva to attend the opening of the Council to-day. It is expected the Council will forthwith adopt the new plan of the reorganisation commission, under which Spain, Poland and another will, subject to the Assembly’s approval, be guaranteed seals on the Council for at least six years. The Bitting of the commission yesterday concluded with a variety of speeches. Lord Cecil and Signor Seialoja praised Spain’s past services to the League, and pointed out that the compromise represented the farthest limit of concession possible towards permanence, and hoped that Spain would accept. Signor Seialoja hinted that although Spain might withdraw temporarily, her decision to leave the League need not be regarded as final, adding that there was no such thing as political death, because resurrection was always possible. The Swedish delegate, Mr. Sioberg, was careful to state that he reserved full freedom of action in the event of the compromise not bringing a solution. CHINA MAY CLAIM SEAT. Received Sept. 3, 7.30 p.m. Geneva, Sept. 2. The Council discussed Viscount Cecil’s amendment, recording that the reorganisation committee did its utmost to satisfy Spain. Delegates urged that the special mention of Spain’s claim had necessitated the mention of Poland’s and China’s also. The Chinese delegate declared that China reserved the right to claim a permanent seat, Senor Palacios, the Spanish delegate, demanded an explicit statement that the committee was unable to accede to the Spanish demand for a permanent seat, but the discussion was adjourned. Senor Palacios, in the course of an interview, said he regretted the lateness of convening the committee, which gave Spain no time for consideration before the meeting of the Council, but the incident was not yet closed. If the committee recommended a course satisfying Spain, the situation might be changed. Otherwise it appeared to be a first-class burial of the Spanish, claim. Spain was awaiting the Council’s and the Assembly’s action before making her next move. THE TANGIER PROBLEM. Received Sept. 3, 8.40 p.m. London, Sept. 3. “Whether Spain's action in withdrawing from the Council at Geneva will be followed by a complete secession from the League is not yet certain. In any case,” states the Daily Telegraph, “she is obliged to give two years’ notice of her intention.” An authoritative Spanish official informed the Morning Post that Spain would not accept any unguaranteed promise. She was most likely to "go to sleep” pending the international Tangier pourparlers. He added that when in possession of Tangier, Spain would resume her League activities, which was very probable within a year. On the other hand there is good ground for stating that the question of Tangier will not be raised during the League meetings. Signor Grandi (Italy) does not intend to take the initiative in proposing a Tangier conference at Geneva or elsewhere. Messages from Berlin state that Government circles are confident that Germany solely will be admitted to the Council.