CRISIS IN LEAGUE CIRCLES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19906, 17 September 1934, Page 7

CRISIS IN LEAGUE CIRCLES

POLAND’S DRAMATIC STROKE GENEVA’S PRESTIGE MAY BE AFFECTED British Official Wireless (Received September 18, 8.30 p.m.) RUGBY, September 14. At the League of Nations Assembly meeting the announcement made by Colonel Beck that Poland refuses any longer to co-operate with international organisations, which are taken to include the organs of the League of Nations, in the matter of supervision over the application by Poland of the system of protection of minorities, was discussed. The declaration created a profound sensation in the Assembly, where the general impression was that a denunciation of the treaty was taking place. An early speaker at to-day’s meeting was Sir John Simon. He said that it was clear that it should not be possible for any State, by unilateral action, to relieve herself of her obligations, and he wanted to put that on record as the view of the British Government.

Poland’s action provoked some comments in the newspapers, and the “Daily Herald,” while agreeing that it was hard to justify the system of supervision in respect of only a small group of States, characterises the action as reprehensible insofar as it strikes a blow at the sanctity of treaties and the authority of the League., It urges that a serious attempt to make the protection of minorities universal might well be undertaken. The “Morning Post” says: “The arguments advanced by Poland to justify her release from the treaty are not without some weight, but unilateral repudiation of a solemn covenant cannot but arouse some misgiving.” The "Daily Telegraph” regards Poland’s action as only too typical of the impatient spirit of the times and believes that the world convention suggested would almost certainly disagree from the start, or, if it agreed on a uniform basis, that basis would be more honoured in the breach than in the observance. The gravity of the decision announced by Colonel Beck was emphasised by M. Barthou (French Minister of Foreign Affairs), in supporting Sir John Simon. He said that he spoke as the representative of France and the friend and ally of Poland, and could not believe that Colonel Beck’s speech was intended as a threat, or attempt to impose a fait accompli on the League. Baron Aloisi (Italy) also supported the motion of censure and, like M. Barthou, admitted the possibility of treaty revision, but their adaptation must be effected legally and the existing engagements respected until replaced by new provisions. Colonel Beck stated that Poland maintained her attitude regarding minorities and did not consider the situation changed by to-day’s debate.