LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 16798, 31 March 1919, Page 7

LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

. MEETING WITH NEUTRALS. THE JAPANESE AMENDMENT. ,/,-r PARIS, March 28. , Mr Eraser states: Thirteen neutrals conferred with the League's sub-com-

mittee, and offeied suggestions and many amendments to meet their vieus The neutrals displayed a friendly interest in,the proceedings without giving pledges. The impression was derived that many, if no't all, will join the -League. ' | A_ provision was inserted clearly protecting sovereign -Powers. - - I Care has ,been /taken that a small State "-shall have equal powers " -with large ones in dealing with subjects ai-fecting'-its interest. " There is also an express reservation that the League must not interfere with' the internal , affairs of ' any country. The executive is given power to enlarge its numbers, provided that- the ratio between large and small States is, maintained, i but only after the Delegates' Council gives its approval. _ . j - My authority states that a definite pledge was' given '"that' the 'Covenant" -will be J a> plenary sessionThe Japanese i will'then.,j press -their claim for equality".' admitted-'that although the -League provided for noninterference in the internal ■ affairs of any country- there liad 1 been occasions \\hen~an internal matter had developed into an international The League might be called?, upon to settle such, an affair. °lt was-therefore somewhat' difficult to say'clearly''what was " a* purely internal affair. Even'the qxiestion ;of immigration might assume international- importance.- • j■& -jx AMENDMENTS -T(3* COVENANT. * r s t The revised Covenant 'provides that I nations may withdraw" on two years' notice. '' No nation is compelled to -accept r a. mandatory. Th e righu_ ferred on women to become delegates. Such matters as the traffic in arms and munitions will be placed on separate lists- so that various States may ratify 'the Covenant without being compelled ito accept any particular Convention ' - -the Japanese: motion." ' /" -' WHY IT - PARIS, March 27-fV ,' Japan's 'action in leaving in abeyance <*her amendment to the League, of-Na-tions was doubtless l due to inability, toj "secure British support. *' The Japj&esa

secure British support. * The Japanesa left no stone unturned to secure "a sympathetic interest in the -proposal t They believed Mr Wilson would'not'be j disinclined to accept _ its recognition, i ' while the British delegation was sym- J ! pathetically disposed. i > --- •-1 Thpre was a suggestion tihat the lat- \ ter should, after hearing the Japanese views, consider the matter, hut Mr Hughes "demurred, preferring- to tell them frankly to their faces that" under no circumstances could he toe a jparty to granting their demand Conference. The Japanese then decided to ' take another opportunity i of pressing their claim, either before tlie Leaguels drafting committee or when comes before a plenaiy sittr'na of the Conference. s '' f , \IU / •'-; ,'- RANGER OF MOTION. „> ,* / """'„'..'' „' £&&?&> MaTch 24 -. ' ,/ Referring discussions on Ja-i panese claims" Mr* Murdoch states that General Smuts pointed out that , his proposed amendment 1 was very, moder-; ate,, buf/Mr '''Hughes and ;Mr~ Massey took %he point.that a diplomatic empty phrase should not' be'inserted in the Covenant and "ther question shotfld now be '-'definitely " decided. Moreover, though-,. Japan's representatives assured ! the dominions .representatives that Japan did *not intendtto go ,' furthei, pointed 'out that some new Government in Japan "would be able under _the proposed amendment i!o all racial,questions at'the League of Nations. ,1 • DISARMAMENT ESSENTIAL.- "; STATEMENT BY MR LLOYD "• GEORGE. ' • -\ R<;ceived> 5.5 p.m., March 306 h. ' <-- ■ *?-* LONDON, Marcn. 28. ' Mr Lloyds George, in a message .published', m the' "Manchester Guardian, 5 ? I states: "' The "League of Nations reprc- | sents the greatest attempt ever=made to substitute reason and justice' for force and intrigue as the governing principles of international relations. This principle being* accepted the nations must be inspired with a real de- , termination •to work in close harmony for the betterment and liberty of mankind. 'The League must be made an effective instrument for the solution of every international problem. Ame-rica-and Britain, who have taken such a leading and honourable part in promoting this beneficent scheme, must give a practical demonstration of then belief in it. Disarmament is an essential condition of its success."'

• PROGRESSIVE DISARMAMENT. The most notable amendments to the League's Covenant include reconsideration 'of disarmament every decade, with a view to progressive disarmament becoming world-wide.

AMENDMENTS POUND IMPRACTICABLE. NEW YORK, March 20. A Paris despatch states that efforts at redrafting certain provisions in the League of Nations Covenant in compliance with the wishes of friendly critics proved unavailing. It was asserted that every effort at redrafting emphasised the fact that changes could not bo made without offending the susceptibilities of some nafcon. It .was pointed out in high circles that an effort to provide special recognition of ■ the Monroe doctrine would probably lesul to Japan proposing that her special rights in. China should be recog-