LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16904, 29 November 1920, Page 3

LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

SUCCESSFUL WORK DONE,

SOAIE PROBLEMS DISCUSSED. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. LONDON, Nov. 27. Lord Robert Cecil, addressing British and American journalists, said tho Assembly of the League of Nations at Geneva thus far had been extraordinarily successful. It had a genuine belief in its own vitality, which was exceedingly encouraging. A review of the present international situation was, perhaps, the most important of its functions. It should not be confined to legislative work like a Parliament, hut siionld indulge in discussion and criticism, which was as important as legislative duties. Referring to the Armenian situation, Lord Cecil said he had good reason to believe that if a 20 "million dollar loan was forthcoming it would suffice to save Armenia from the Kemalists until tho Armenians could stand alone. He believed America was the best nation to undertake mediation.

Questioned by the Australian Press Association repi%sontativo as to whether the Assembly could reply to the German protest without .referring the subject to tho Allied and associated Powers, Lord Cecil said ho would like to see a delegate dare to stand up and argue that tho Assembly would have to submit the matter to tho Allies. Lord Cecil was unable to say whether the Assembly would reply to the protest.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. POSITION OF MONTENEGRO.

Two years ago M. Poincare and M. Pichon, on behalfof the Allies, induced the King of Montenegro to remain in Paris, assuring him that when the enemy was cleared out the Powers would respect Montenegro’s integrity. New Montenegro is requesting the League of Nations to admit her to membership. Montenegro’s people resent Serbian domination, and have submitted to the Assembly a long list of atrocities perpetrated by the Serbs. The Montenegrins claim the fulfilment of the Powers’ guarantees to preserve •her sovereignty. The Foreign Minister wrote to the Secretariat on the subject 10 days ago, but so far has not received a reply. The commission dealing with contributions for the maintenance of the League is in a morass in regard to formulating a basis for payments. It examined a number of propositions, including ono suggesting a ba.iie on the expenditure by various nations on armaments, but this idea did not commend itself to the League. The clause offering most hope was based on national revenue and internal and external trade, also population, with a proviso that the latter should not exceed that of the Greatest European country, in order to safeguard India and China. Some modification along this line may furnish a reasonable and equitable standard. The main difficulty lies in obtaining accurate statistics, owing to a want of uniformity in their preparation, rendering a comparison in economic, conditions more or less unsound. Dissatisfied with the commission’s decision not to accept amendments to the covenant, it is understood Argentina will test the matter in the Assembly, moving that the CobbjcO should bo elected each session, five members only to bo eligible for re-election to the succeeding session. ■ Roumanian and Serbia strongly oppose the admission of Bulgaria. The Council decided to appoint a permanent commission for the examination of the annual reports of mandatories under article 22 of the covenant, consisting of five represeiitativea of the non-mandatory Powers and four representatives of the mandatory Powers. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. , THE VILNA PLEBISCITE. * • LONDON, Nov- 27. Thq Council of the League' decided that two companies. One comprising French, British, and Spanish troops, and one company of Belgians, should police Vilna during the plebiscite, provision to be made for other nationalities participating if they desire, and the cost to bo borne by Poland and Lithuania.

The sixth commission considered an economic blockade based on Lord Robert Cecil’s observations, by which it was thought the Council could, in the majority of cases, institute a blockade without resorting, to the creation of the more cumbersome proposal to institute an international commission for the purpose. It was admitted there were complicated cases, where for instance, a recalcitrant State might have a neighbour not within the League. Mr. Millen (Australia) thought it was necessary to establish and modify the pleasures to be taken by each State in the event of a blockade. Instead of it being varied for different countries, there should bo some fixed line of conduct adopted. Mr. Lange (Norway) supported Mr. ♦MillonL ■ ■

. A Iter a discussion, the commission considered thoi Council should alone be responsible for the application of the blockade, and declared that an international commission should be consultative, and should devise the mechanism of a blockade.—Ajjj.-N, Z. Cable Assn.