BROKEN DOWN.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 18 March 1926, Page 7

BROKEN DOWN.

Failure of Geneva Negotiations GERMANY’S ENTRY TO LEAGUE POSTPONED. IS LOCARNO PACT IMPERILLED? News fromi Geneva confirms the earlier reports that all negotiations have broken down, and Germany’s admission to League membership may be postponed until June or September. The situation has been created by Brazil threatening to vote against Germany’s admission to the permanent Council, unless given an equal status with Germany. The German delegation threatens to withdraw Germany’s application for admission to the League. Brazil’s stand is said to be due to her determination to forestall Argentina, whose Imminent restoration to full membership of the League, which would! be welcomed by Britain, might prejudice Brazil’s claim, which might only gain the support of Italy.

EARLIER REPORTS CONFIRMED. ALL NEGOTIATIONS BROKEN DOWN. BRAZIL’S AMAZING HOSTILITY. By Cable —Press Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z, Cable Association (Received March 17, 7.5 p.m.) GENEVA. March 17. It is confirmed that all negotiations have broken down. The Assembly may meet on Wednesday, as a mere matter of form. There is still a slender chance that Brazil may yet save the situation by not insisting on a permanent seat, and voting for Germany's admission to the Council, but hope in this direction lias been practically abandoned. Tho question of 1 Germany’s admission may come up in September, bnt l)r. Streseipami refused to-night to say whether Germany would then bo prepared to seek admission. OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM LOCARNO VIEWPOINT. UNITY OF PuTIPOSE CLAIMED. By Oable —Press Association —Copyright. 1 Reuter's Telegrams, (Received March 17, 7.5 P-m.) GENEVA, March IC. A communique issued to-niglit says that representatives of Germany, Belgium, France, Britain and Italy mot and examined tho situation resulting from tile difficulties which had arisen to hinder the accomplishment of their common wishes. They note the tact that- they have reachod an agreement to overcome the obstacles which at one moment had arisen between them, and if, as there seems reason to feel, the above difficulties persist, the representatives of tho seven signatories to the Locarno Protocol would regret not to be able at this moment to reach the goal they liad in view, but they arc happy to recognise that the work of peace which they realised at Locarno, and which exists in all its value and force, remains intact, and they remain attached thereto, and as vesterday, tlicv are firmly resolved to work together to maintain and develop The communique concludes by oxpressing the conviction that fit next sossion°of the Assembly, all existing diiculties will be surmounted, and an agreement already reached regarding the conditions of Germany’s entry to the League will be realised. LEAGUE ASSEMBLY OPENING. DEFINITE NEWS PROMPTLY AVAILABLE. By C»ble —Press Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Gable Anaoeiatiuu (Received March 17, 7.55 p.m.) LONDON, March 17. Brazil, early this morning, had not yet withdrawn the veto, but there is still hope, though the faintest, until the Assembly meets at Geneva at 10 o’clock, corresponding to 9 o'clock London time. Arrangements have been made to begin broadcasting the speeches promptly, therefore there is some chance of definite news being communicable before pi'ess time.

DAY OF BEWILDERMENT. EARLIER HOPES NOT CONSUMMATED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. By Cable —Press Association —Copyright (Received March 17, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 16. “Day o£ complete bewilderment,” about sums up the joint effect of despatches from Geneva. At the outset, it Seemed likely that the solution forecasted overnight was certain of adoption, even though there were still rumblings from Brazil, and a hint that Rumania was hostile, and that Czecho-Slovakia would resign because the Little Entente would remain unrepresented, for which Rumania wanted a guarantee when elected last September.

ANOTHER. SECRET SESSION. Sir Austen Chamberlain yesterday morning again conferred with the Dominion representatives, and later, accompanied by M. Briand, he had an hour’s talk with Dr. Luther and Dr. Stresemann. A secret Bitting of the Council followed, after which M. Briand and Sir Austen Chamberlain adjourned to the Germans’ hotel, where it is understood the draft press communique was approved, affirming the agreement among the Locarnoites, implying external difficulties ancl notifying postponement until September. RECEPTION OF OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. DEPLORABLE ' IMPRESSION CREATED. Bv Cable—Tress Association —Copyright. Reuter‘a Telegrams (Received March 17, 8.45 p.m.) GENEVA, March 16. A deplorable impression has been produced by the publication of the communique, and there is much criticism of those to whom responsibility is attributed. Complete calm prevails in the German headquarters, though the German journalists are much concerned regarding the consequences that the abortive attempt to secure Germany’s admission are likely to have on Germany.

WORST STYLE OF OLD DIPLOMACY. “BARGAINING AND BARTERING FOR SEATS.” By Cable —Press Association —Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received March 17, 7.50 p.m.) LONDON, March 17. "The Daily Telegraph” commenting on the miserable conclusion of a miserable chapter in the League history, says there was bartering and bartering for seats in the worst style of old diplomacy.

Despite these doubts, most of the correspondents . interpreted Dr. Stresemann’s announcement that he and M. Briand and Sir Austen Chamberlain were in complete agreement, as heralding an amicable agreement. The idea was strengthened by M. Briand’s addendum that “only second ary difficulties regarding procedure remain, and we hope dispose these, to-day,” but soon afterwards the German spokesman intimated that the agreement was for the postponement oT Germany’s entrance till either June or September. Then Dr. Stresemann issued the following statement: “To-morrow’s big demonstration in the Assembly Hall will witness that adjournment of our admittahce, but this is not due to the Locarnoites.” POWER BEHIND BRAZIL. INFLUENCE OF LATIN BLOC. SOME INTERESTING SPECULATIONS. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received March 17, 7.55 p.m.) LONDON, March 17. Brazil, which a few days ago, agreed to withdraw her claim for a permanent seat simultaneously with Germany, suddenly pressed again with a threat to veto Germany’s entry, unless satisfied, and the Brazilian delegation last night remained without any instructions, which would save the situation. Germany’s Refusal. It is affirmed that unless Brazil withdraws her veto before 9.46 the Germans themselves will formally withdraw their request for admission this session. Sir Austen Chamberlain in a statement in the Assembly said the causes of the breakdown make it plain to the world that responsibility rests with Brazil. The question why Brazil has adopted the attitude is causing much speculation. The statement that America is concerned is discredited, though the “Daily Telegraph’s” Geneva correspondent mentioned that as soon a 8 the British Government warned Brazil of the financial consequences Wall Street took notice. Underground Currents. “The Daily Express” says that Italy and Brazil are drawing closer owing to the Italian emigration scheme. Another factor is that Italy is endeavouring to replace France in dominating the Little Entente. It must be mentioned in fairness, however, that Signor Mussolini, speaking of the Locarno Pact, in the Senate in Rome yesterday, described it as a great factor towards the security and tranquillity of Europe. There is also the possibility that the true cause of the trouble is the rivalry between two South American States. It has been affirmed that Argentine is anxious to return to tile League, in which case she could rbly on the support ot Britain, whose relations are most lnendly, especially since the Prince of Wales’s popular visit. It is argued that if any of the Latin-American countries are given, a permanent seat Britain would certainly favour Argentine, therefore Brazil is pressing for a permanent seat now, because her claim -would be overshadowed if Argentine claims in September.

Finally the statement of Senor Lauromullr (President of the Foreign Affairs Committee) received troin Rio at 3 o’clock this morning emphasised the idealism which causpniMilaZU f enter the League. She collaborated loyally hi solving the Airopean problems, and complained done ‘ 6eP ingratitude for the work _ Who is Backing Brazil? five/ 1 Tlmes ” sa - vs -' Brazil is not a “; , cta Bower, and a State in her itrnnf oll C ° lUd ho hard) y expected to mdtic n i ,n iff“° bd ! ,rate attitude in the Fiii'ono M rS that * directly concern r" ° P r°’,"‘ t!lolU some assurance of poweiful outside support. . brazil persists in veto. MEETING OF LEAGUE ASSEMBLY. GERMANY ’S ADMISSION POSTPONED. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received March 18,. 1.20 a m ) . GENEVA, Mart'll 17. liinzd persists in her veto. The admission of Germany has been postponed.

GERMANY’S ENTRY POSTPONED.

. BRAZIL’S ATTITUDE CAUSES. DEADLOCK. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. . Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. GENEVA, March 16. Dr. Stresemann (German Foreign Minister), after a conference with M.. Briand and Sir -Austen Chamberlain, announced complete agreement on the basis of the postponement of Germany’s entry to the League. The Council decided to adjourn the questions of Germany’s admission and the enlargement of the Council till September.

DRAMATIC CHANGE. A swift and dramatic change came over the situation this afternoon, when it became certain that the Brazilian silence meant refusal to abandon the veto. Sir Austen Chamberlain and M. Briand visited the German delegates, and apologetically confessed that conditions rendered Germany’s admission impossible in accordance with the Locarno Pact, the Brazilian veto preventing a permanent seat being given her. Sir Austen Chamberlain added that nevertheless ‘ everyone would regard Germany as morally admitted, enabling an amicable settlement of the Saar and aviation questions in the Locarno spirit. The Swedish and Czecho-Slovakian resignation were also postponed.

The German delegates are going home to-morrow, leaving officials to carry out the arrangements for the disarmament conference. LEAGUE ASSEMBLY OPENS. BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTER’S STATEMENT. By Cabin—Press Association—Copyright Reuter’s Telegrams. (Received March 17, 11.45 p.m.) LONDON, March 17. Reuter’s Geneva correspondent says:—“ln the Assembly Sir Austen Chamberlain announced that in vietV of Brazil’s attitude, it was impossible for him to propose that the Assembly at present admit Germany to the League.” QUESTION OF PRESTIGE. Dll. STRESEMANN’S CUTTING THRUST. By Cable—Press Association—Oopj-rlfhl Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. GENEVA, March 10. Dr. Stiesemiinn, addressing German pressmen, urged the adoption of a moderate view. Germany’s hopes of friendship with France depended on entry to the League. He rebuked the‘suggestion that the delays endangered her prestige, and added: "Regarding prestige, I would rather bo Dr. Stresemanu than Sir A. Chamberlain.” PROTEST FROM LATIN AMERICA. WILL BRAZIL PERSIST? By Cable-—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z Cable Association. GENEVA, March 16. After a three hour meeting of delegates of tile Latin-American States, in which a full statement of the ease front France was heard, it was decided to pressingly request tlio latter to find means of restoring unanimity in the Council in connection with the composition of the Council, in the interests of the peace of Europe. In view of the unanimity of the Latin-Amarican delegates, it is confidently expected that Brazil will now yield.