BRITAIN HELPS WORK OF LEAGUE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18578, 28 September 1928, Page 11

BRITAIN HELPS WORK OF LEAGUE.

“INTEGRAL ELEMENT OF FOREIGN POLICY.”

(United Press Assn. —By Electric . -TeTegrafcb.—Copyright.) (Received September 28, 1 pm») RUGBY, September 27. In an article entitled “ Great tain and the League,” “ The Times _ reviews the work of the League session, and deals with criticisnfs leveHed at the attitude adopted by the British Government on current international questions. • . “ The Times ” comments on the businesslike nature of the League session, on the ‘absence of set oratorical ■ displays, on the great attention paid to the organisation and personnel, on the = atmosphere of quiet confidence in the League’s stability and on the growing realisation of the immense advantages of the form of international cooperation it provides. The paper says the League has, in fact, taken root in the world and is indispensable. • As to the British attitude towards the League •“ The Times” declares: Not merely is Great Britain in every sense its strongest supporter, but under the present administration the League work has become an integral element of the British foreign policy and the Foreign Secretary has taken an active part in every meeting of the Council and Assembly until his illness this month.” Regarding the Anglo-French naval compromise, “ The Times ” thinks that the British Government motives may be defended, but not their tactics. Their real mistake lay, not in thinking too little of the League, but in thinking too narrowly in the terms of the League pieparatory commission on disarmament, and not sufficiently of the state of American opinion. The deadlock in the Disarmament Commission was the occasion for conversations that led to the compromise. Its object was to provide a new basis for discussion between the chief naval Powers, and so to make it possible for the commission to go on with its work. If that basis is not accepted, and if no alternative is ottered, the preparatory commission will have to look to the United States for further light on its difficult problem.” Dealing with the Rhineland, “ The Times” says:—"Few people in England pretend to like its occupancy. The general feeling is that it is unnecessary and embarrassing, and that it has served its purpose. That is not the feeling in France, which has special relations with Germany that are by no means all unfriendly. Great Britain has assisted in various stages in promoting better relations between France and Germany, and is thoroughly friendly with both. The sudden withdrawal of British troops from the Rhineland could omy be perfectly useless and a harmful demonstration leading to confusion. It would'not have helped Germany, it would have offended France and would almost certairilv have caused further irritating delay in the evacuation of French troops. Lord Cushendun has helped in the only possible way by taking account of the realities and bringing- France and Germany to the point of practical negotiations. " There is reason to hope that the proposed committee of experts will find a solution possible of certain reparations difficulties that will benefit both France and Germany, and will remove x the last barrier to an early joint evacuation of all foreign troops from German soil.. It hasJ*Sßs laid down that the-sett lament-shall be such as will not involve any additional burden on British, taxpayers. In these circumstances the action taken by Lord Cushendun advances the cause of European pea cm. and does credit, both to Great Britain and to the League, under whose auspices the conversations were carried on.”—British Official Wireless.