LEACUE OF NATIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16292, 6 December 1920, Page 4

LEACUE OF NATIONS.

I SCOPE OF COUNCIL AND ' ASSEMBLY. THE CASE OF ARMENIA. By Tslejnph—Pj*bb Association—Copyright Australian and N.2. Cable Association, LONDON, December 3. The Australian and New Zealand Press Association correspondent at , Genera, states that it is hoped to have all the Commission reports before the Assembly by the early part of next week. Lord Curzon telegraphed to M. Hymans that while unable to take independent action in Armenia, Britain is willing to second President Wilson’s action with moral and diplomatic support. The report of the First Commission, on relations between the Council and the Assembly, states that there is no analogy between the cases of Upper and Lower Chamber, therefore the League is a single organism having at its disposal two organisms with distinct or similar attributes. The Coun-cil-derives its clearly defined functions from the Peace Treaties. While both Council and Assembly have distinctive duties, there are. matters the decision of which is left to the League, without, specifying to which the right of decision belongs. There are also matters, not within the competence of these organisations, but require the concurrence of the Governments concerned in the form of international conventions. The Assembly, in regard to tbs latter, should endeavour to lead up to an agreement between Governments- The Commission considers it inopportune to -formulate the precise functions of the Assembly_ and the Council, but difficulties arising between them should be dealt with according to the dictates of tact and common sense. Contributions to the League have practically been settled on the basis of the Postal Union. The Hon E. D, Milieu, in an interview stated,, that he placed an amendment on record, against the Secretariat's proposal, to base contributions on population and net revenue, which, though not providing a precise formula, did give relief to some oountries, like Australia, whoso present payments were inequitable, but it raised countries like Brasil and New Zealand. He so strongly protested that it was decided to maintain the present system until the committee could deal with the whole question.

AMERICAN PARTICIPATION. WASHINGTON, December 3. Mr Hsrding, the president-elect, will appoint a peace commission to go to Europe after bis inauguration. It is expected that the commission will be constituted of seven members, headed by Mr Harding and the State Secretary, and will probably include, Senators ILodge and Root. The Commission will be furnished with all information on the bearjng of the Peace Treaty which Mr Harding can obtain. The State Department has announced receipt of an invitation from the League of Nations for the United States to participate in disarmament deliberations. The invitation requests the United States representative to sit in a. consultative capacity on the League's permanent Military, Naval and Air Commission.