STRAIGHT TALK AT GENEVA

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19300, 29 September 1932, Page 9

STRAIGHT TALK AT GENEVA

LEAGUE OF NATIONS UNDER FIRE

MR DE VALERA’S IDEAS IN FAVOUR British Official Wireless RUGBY, September 27, The speech by Mr de Valera, opening the Assembly of the League of Nations has attracted considerable attention and gives rise to varying opinions in the Press. “The Telegraph” comments on the strange irony w'hich introduces Mr de Valera, who has been the foremost advocate of self-contained nationalism, and a critic of the League on its incomplete success in welding the nations into one international power. “The News" says the speech should have a satisfactory result, causing friends and enemies to re-examine the grounds for their opinions, but what will actually be accomplished by the League should not be ignored by them, as it appears to be ignored by Mr de Valera. His statements regarding Ireland, though regarded as out of place on such an occasion, attract little comment. “Thq Manchester Guardian”, in an editorial, commends Mr de Valera’s utterance, and adds that It is high time someone conveyed the world’s criticisms to the League. Mr de Valera performed this moderately and forcibly, without cotton wool in his mouth. Japan has driven a coach and four through the Covenant and the Disarmament Coriference and thus encouraged the Germans to join the ranks of the wreckers.

LEAGUE MUST LEAD OR CONFESS FAILURE. MR SPEAKS AT GENEVA. United Press Association —By Electric Tel egraph—Copy righ t GENEVA, September 27. “I agree with Mr de Valera that the League is on trial and must lead the Nations or confess itself unequal to the great task” declared Mr W. M. Hughes (Australia) in the debate in the Assembly. Although the League was labouring diligently to fulfil its glittering promises, wars and rumours of wars were disturbing men’s minds. No scheme of disarmament yet devised could be regarded as an earnest to the nations to tread the paths of peace. Instead of a world fit for heroes, crisis succeeded crisis; trade was stagnant and bankruptcy faced many nations; revolution and civil turmoil were prevalent. ‘‘We cannot expect miracles, but I believe disarmament is possible if approached in the right spirit. Conferences have failed because the nations want security. Peace is impossible while the world is seething with industrial unrest. Tens of millions of unemployed are only saved from starvation by charity. The world is engaged in an insensate, desperate trade war. Communism is ceaselessly active. Only when the people are decently employed, under decent conditions, will the gospel of Bolshevism fall on deaf ears.” CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP. RESIGNATION OF SIR ERIC DRUMMOND. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright GENEVA, September 27. The Council of the League of Nations has accepted Sir Eric Drummond’s resignation, and will elect a successor in November. Long Service Ends. Sir Eric Drummond’s resignation of the League Secretariat will take effect on June 30, 1933. He has been Secre-tary-General of the League since its formation, and is mentioned by name in the Versailles Treaty in that connection. Previously he had a distinguished career in the British diplomatic service. Some time ago he wished to retire, but was persuaded to postpone his intention until next year. <Sir Eric Drummond was the first appointed General-Secretary of the League of Nations, and is 55 years of age. He is half-brother and heirpresumptive of the Earl of Perth. He was private secretary to the Prime Minister after some years in the Foreign Office. He was knighted in 1916).