LEAGUE FACES CRISIS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 16 March 1926, Page 7

LEAGUE FACES CRISIS.

Intrigue Results in Deadlock. DEMAND FOR MEETING OF ASSEMBLY. OPEN NEGOTIATIONS IMPERATIVE. The general opinion in London insists that the Council of the League of Nations having failed to deal with a grave crisis, the Assembly of the League should be convened and the question of Germany’s admission to membership discussed openly before tho world.

GLOOMY OUTLOOK IN GENEVA. “SITUATION CONFUSED AND SERIOUS. MEETING OF ASSEMBLY URGED. By oble—Press Association —Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received March 15, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 14. Reports from Geneva are still the gloomiest. The meeting of the Council arranged for to-dqy has postponed, and replaced by private conversations, which do not appear to have advanced the situation. Sir Austen Chamberlain admits that the position is still confused and serious.

MISLEADING REPORTS CIRCULATED. ACTIVITIES OF SMALLER POWERS. By C»ble—Pros* Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received March 15, 7.45 p.m.) GENEVA, March 15. A feature of the crisis has been the number of misleading reports deliberately circulated by interested parties in order to snatch a temporary diplomatic success. These- dubious rumours include a number on circumstantial statements that certain members of the Council are willing to retire in favour of Poland. These reported resignations are so numerous that a cynical observer commented that “as matters now stand, Poland will soon have more seats on the Council than all the Powers put together.” One compromise under consideration is the resignation of all nonpermanent members of the Council, exeept Spain and Brazil, thus Uruguay is replaceable by another South American State, Czecho-Slovakia by Jugo-Slavia, and Belgium might be sacrificed for Poland.

It is reported from one source that Brazil has revived her intention to veto Germany’s seat on the Council. There is a growing feeling that the time is overdue when the Assembly should he called in order that those responsible for the creation of obstacles should take the responsibility. In the meantime, all eyes’ are directed towards Tuesday’s meeting of the Assembly. “COME OUT INTO THE OPEN,” LONDON PRESS DEMAND. By Cable—Press Associatlou—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received March 15, 7.55 p.m.) LONDON, March 15. The general impression is that the Geneva Council has exhausted its usefulness, in its effort to find a solution. The only hope now is that the Assembly" will be more successful. The “Daily Express” says: "The Assembly is the forum of the world. If the Council is unable to deal with the crisis let it take the case openly to the Assembly, where those menacing- peace by recalcitrance and self-seeking will bear the full odium in the face of all civilised peoples.

A late message from Geneva states that Sir. Austen Chamberlain during the evening referred to the difficulties created by a non-European nation which his hearers understood by Brazil. Commenting on the speech, the "Morning Post” points out that there is considerable danger of outside Powers, who are not greatly interested in European politics, taking advantage of the situation. THROUGH FRENCH EYES. GERMANY BLAMED FOR CRISIS. "DANGEROUSLY MENACING PRETENTIONS.” By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received March 15, 7.40 p.m.) PARIS, March 14. The "Journal ties Debats,” says;— "The Geneva crisis is a test of strength in Bismarekian manner. Speculating on the possibility of a rupture, the “Journal” declares that if some consequences of the test would be regrettable, others would not. Dr. Stresemann, if lie pleases, may conclude a second Rapollo treaty with M. Tchitcherin, but it would not be fore successful than the first.” “La Temps” declares that if Germany persists in pressing her demands to the extreme limit, the Assembly may be compelled to postpone all admissions, thereby safeguarding the League’s rights and dignity vlnch Germany’s pretentions are dangerously menacing. GERMANY'S FIRM STAND. ... REFUSES TO SURRENDER. By Cable—Preas Association.— Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cabla Association. ■p, T . LONDON, March 15. Dr Luther and Dr. btruemunn strongly advocated referring the whole question of new seats to a Commission, reporting in September. In the meantime, several minor States intimated their willingness to withdraw from the Council, in order to facilitate the entry of newcomers in tlie Council. The meeting unofficially, however, decided to convoke' the Assembly on Tuesday, for the consideration of Ge’ many’s entry, following which the Council will meet lor the purpose of creating a permanent seat for Germany. This Council will be critical, and will lorce all members to show their hands. Germ any, lulling unanimity mav withdraw from the League, in which case the Council will appear before the Assembly in order to explain the position publicly. Dr. Stresemann conferred with M. Bnand for two hours in the evening, and Jater ho issued a statement that it was a grotesque jicrfcrmnnce to invite Germany to Geneva to keep her waitmg a week, while nothing occurred, except tile demands that Germnny should accept various conditions before she became a member. He reiterated that ho was willing to agree to the appoihtment of a Commission. Germany is ready, as scon as admitted, to do the utmost to solve tiie problem ni the September session, and pledged iier.se]f that whatever nations Assembly should then elect, she would readily accept regardless of whether she was in the majority or minority. “It is ridiculous,” declared Dr Stresemann later to the Press, “that the peace policy should be shattered toi the sake of the potty creation of a seat on the Council. The Locarno partners should stick together,” Dr. Luther, addressing the German journalists, said: “Wo cay not differentiate between permanent and non. -permanet seats, because our attitude is based on •principles. We cannot bring pressure to bear on anybody. We support the Commission, and wait and see what happens. The whole question therefore remains shelved until Tuesday unless in the meantime, ns is iioped, the way is smoothed for the Germans’ entry unconditionally.” ATTITUDE OF DOMINIONS. LARGER COUNCIL NOT FAVOURED. By Cable —Press Association—Copyrltfnt. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association GENEVA, March 14. The Dominions’ representatives are reluctant to discuss publicly the delicate situation, though all are impressed with the fact Unit Sir A. Cliatnherlnin lost his opportunity during the week to keep in close touch with them, and report' every development. While it is pretty clear that the Dominion representatives do not view with favour the expansion of the Council they are generally disinclined to take a tragic view of developments, but do not disguise their fear regard- | ing the prestige of the League if i matters are allowed to drift.

The British Press remains nervous. Many papers pass no comment. Those which do, lament the squabbling. Tho ‘‘Daily Chronicle” asks; “Why does Mr Baldwin permit itrI’’ 1 ’’ The journal says: “If Sir Austen Chamberlain said frankly that the Council was called solely to admit Germany, tho intrigue would have dried up, instead of festering into an ulcer which is poisoning the League’s lifeblood.”

The “Observer” says: “A long week of squalid squabble has beksmirched the name of Locarno and discredited the League like nothing since its foundation. Ail its enemies are exultant and its supporters stand aghast. The Bolshevists and Junker ‘diehnrds’ rejoice, while American alienation is now contemptuously confirmed and the friends of reconciliation in Germany are weakened. It is no time to be mealy-mouthed. In Britain the whole episode has made a disgusting impression on public opinion. Every dictate of decency required that the letter and spirit of Locarno should he implemented before the claims of Poland, Spain and Brazil were raised.” The “Sunday Express” says: “The whole world stands aghast at the coldblooded murder of the Locarno spirit before the war of grouping antagonisms, all resurrected in darker and deadlier forms.” Tho “Sunday Times” says: “AVo are to blame for not hat ing asserted ourselves sooner, and made it plain to everybody: (1) that we regarded Germany’s solo admission as a point of honour, and (3),-that it was our policy to reserve permanent seats for the great Powers.” FRENCH DELEGATES BUSY. ATTEMPTS TO SAVE THEIR FACES. Br Cable —Press Association —Coi vrisht. Australian and N.Z. Cable AssocicOr - - (Received March 15, 7.45 p.m.) LONDON, March 15. M. Briand was busy throughout Sunday seeing the Germans twice, before consulting with Sir Austen Chamberlain in the evening. He then interviewed Dr. Stressemannagain. The French opinion is considerably more optimistic than the British delegation about settlement on Tuesday; indeed, prominent Frenchmen at Geneva assert that Germany will he happily enseeted in the Council on Tuesday.

“ HOPE SHOULD NOT BE ABANDONED.” BRITISH VIEW OF CRISIS. By Cable —Press Association —-Copyright. Reuter's Telegrams. (Received March 15, 7.40 p.m.) GENEVA, March 14. The British view of tho crisis is that hope should not be abandoned until a catastrophe occurs. They do not, however, see how a crash is avertable. Nevertheless a more hopeful view prevails at present as the solution which would save the face of all parties appears be in sight. It is understood that, the Council is working on a proposal by M. Vandervolde (Belgium), according to which Germany wilt obtain the seat on tlie Council forthwith, and immediately afterwards pronounce in favour of the addition of one non-per-manent seat, leaving the meeting of the Assembly in September to select the country which will occupy a seat. The question of the addition of permanent seats appears to be abandoned for the present.

GERMANY'S VIEWPOINT. . SUGGESTED CONFERENCE TORPEDOED. By Cable — Press Association— Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association, BERLIN, March 14. The “Daily Chronicle” say*: “This, then, is tho outcome of Sir A. Chamberlain's free hand. An unseemly wrangle would never have occurred it the Government iiad adopted the attitude that British opinion unanimously favours. Despite Mr Baldwin’s assurance to the contrary, it is clear that Sir A. Chamberlain has been supporting the French intrigue all the week. It is one of the most shame, ful and futde gestures of British diplomacy sinco the days of Charles II.” The Gorman standpoint at Geneva is explainer! in a semi-official statement, that after caieful consideration the German delegates have decided that it is impossible ror Germany m the matter of her entry to tlie League, to depart from fundamental principles, or give a binding undertaking regarding lier future -policy in the league, particularly in view of the efforts of some of The members of the League. Apparently President Hindenburg torpedoed the suggested compromise, tor upon receiving a telegram from Berlin, Dr. Luther rushed hot-foot to Sir A. Chamberlain's hotel with the news. Though the delegates at Geneva are outs-pokeniy laying the blame on Gcrmany, tho feeling in Britain is somewhat different. People are asking wiiy Mr Baldwin permits tho scandal to continue. Interviewed the German delegates said: “If we are elected we shall stay; otherwise we They declared that there was no question of their leaving Geneva; they were awaiting the answer to the question. they put. They expected the Council to decide whether the promise made to Germany way to be carried out or not. CHARACTERISTIC FRENCH COMMENT. BLAME THROWN ON GERMANY. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. PARIS. March 14. “If a breakdown occurs at Geneva, the Germans alone are responsible.” is the unanimous opinion of newspapers, which point out that the Allies have gone to tho extreme limit in the way of concessions. “Ld Journal’s” Geneva correspondent complains that the Germans have shown no signs of genuine goodwill. “Le Echo de Paris” thinks " the curtain is far from being rung down at Geneva, and adds: “There is even ground for fear that as a result of the previous agreement between I'lance and the other Powers, the League Council may. be compelled, by virtue of the agenda of the session, to declare itself in favour of tile admission of Germany.” A correspondent suggests that I'rancc will net oppose Germany’s entry in lace of tlie Locarno Pact, alid the risk of incurring the reproaches of the whole Anglo-Saxou race. He mentions that the Italian delegate states that Signor Mussolini instructed him to vote ior Germany, and concludes by suggesting that France should be dragged along the same path. SOVIET v. LEAGUE OF NATIONS. REDRAWING OF DIPLOMATIC FRONTIERS. I J Cable —Press Association —Copyright. * Australian and N.Z. Cable Association LONDON, March U. The Riga correspondent of tlie “Times” says new light has been thrown on the Soviet’s attitude towards the League of Nations by M. Rykoff. who, speaking in Leningrad, pointed out that two distinct forces were endeavouring to unify Europe, namely, the League of Nations and. Moscow. He expressed the opinion that both have chances of success, but Moscow is move likely to secure victory, because she is seeking a United Trade, Union front, whereas tlie clashing of tlie Capitalist interests of various countries will spoil the League’s chances. Nevertheless, M. Rykoff predicted a considerable period of European peace, and declared that if Russia wore enabled to participate in a- Disarmament Conference, she would introduce far-reaching propostds for the decrease of armies and the curtailment or prohibition oi the manufacture of armaments.