IMMEDIATE STEPS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 228, 28 September 1935, Page 9

IMMEDIATE STEPS

DRAFTING OF REPORT SOVIET ASSURANCE [ British Official Wireless. ] RUGBY, Sept. 26. The public meeting of the Council ■was preceded by a private meeting at which only the heads of the delegations were present. The purpose of the meeting was to make all necessary preparations for the public session. When the public session opened all the States Members of the Council with the exception of Italy were represented. It is understood that the absence of the Italian delegates was due to Italy’s refusal to sit at the Council table when Abyssinia is given that privilege. The Abyssinian dele gate, Mr. Tecia Hawariat, was accompanied by Professor Jeze, legal adviser for Abyssinia Senor de Madariaga having read the report of the Committee of Five, Mr. Hawariat stated that his Government would certainly consider with the greatest attention any suggestion made by the League Council. Senor Guinazu, President of the Council, then proposed that the Committee of Five should remain in being in order to be ready to make suggestions at any time they were called upon to do so. He urged that all efforts at conciliation should be continued. “The thoughts of the two parties are now known,” he said. “Therefore I propose that the Council should take immediate steps to draft its report under Article 15, paragraph (4), of the Covenant. The Council sitting as a committee, without, or course, the Italian delegate, should be entrusted with that task.” The President also proposed that the session of the Council should not be closed but should remain in being until the report had been drafted. Work of Conciliation Mr. Anthony Eden (Britain) expressed regret that despite the sincerity of the efforts made no solution had been reached. He recalled that on September 4 he expressed the view that the machinery of the League should be brought into use, and he now suggested that Article 15, paragraph (4), should be employed as a means of solving the problem. “This is a task upon which we will engage with all the strenuousn’ess and attention which it is possible to oopimand, but also without undue delay,” he said. “This procedure has the further advantage to which our president has very properly drawn attention. So long as the Council is engaged in drawing up its report and recommendations the work of conciliation can continue, and clearly no opportunity for such con filiation within the terms of the Covenant should be missed. “While the work of drafting the report is progressing the Governments will have an opportunity to consider whether, and if so, how, anything further can be done to safeguard peace. This is an obligation which members of the League will not overlook. J will end with one word upon the wider issues of the dispute. The policy of His Majesty’s Government in this inspect has been recently ami authori tatively declared. 1 need therefore only add that by that policy Jlis Majesty’s Government is seriously determined to abide.” France’s Support M. Laval (France; supported Mr. Eden. He said: “France will adhere to the obligations of the Covenant. The Council will now abide bv the Covenant and formulate its rccom-

mendations. I also agree on that point with the representative of Britain. The Council will accomplish this task in the spirit and in the letter of the Covenant and will, I am sure, after having reviewed the circumstances of the dispute, indicate the methods which it will judge are most equitable.” M. Litvinoff (Russia) said there could be no doubt as to the measures the Soviet Government would take when the time camo to safeguard peace in Africa and in other parts of the world. Dr. Munch (Denmark), in supporting the previous speakers, said he was convinced that the Council would know r how to indicate the best means of maintaining peacq as well as the principles of *thc League of Nations. The President announced before the Council adjourned that the proposals had been adopted unanimously. ARTICLE 15 PROVISIONS OUTLINED Article 15 of t*ho Covenant of the League of Nations provides that if there should arise between members of the League any dispute likely to lead to a rupture which is not submitted ‘to arbitration or judicial settlement in accordance with Article 13 the members of the League shall submit the matter to the Council. The Council is then enjoined to attempt a settlement of the dispute, but if the dispute is not settled either unanimously or by majority vote the Council is instructed by paragraph (4) to “make and publish a report containing a statement of the facts of the dispute and the recommendations which are deemed just and proper in regard thereto.” If a report of the -Council is unanimously agreed to by the members of the Council other than the representatives of one or more parties to the dispute, the members of the League agree, under the Article, not to go to war with any party which complies with the recommendations of the report. If the Council fails to reach an agreement the members of the League reserve 1o themselves to take such action as they may consider necessary for the maintenance of right, and justice. In any event, the Council is empowered to refer the matter to the Assembly of the League, aud in this case any report agreed to by the representatives of those members who are represented on the Council and a majority of other members of the League has the same force as a report by the Council. In that event Article .12 applies. In this article the members of the League agree to submit disputes to arbitration or for judicial settlement ami further agree not to go to war until Three months after the award or judicial decision or report to the Council is made k nown. It is the resort to war in disregard of the provisions of these Articles which may result in a decision that a breach of the Covenant has been com miffed and that sanctions be used against an offending member. ITALIAN REACTION EXPECTED NOTHING NOT MISTAKEN BY DECISION ROME, Sept. 26. The Italian reaction is that Italy expected nothing from the League, and was not mistaken. Signor Virginio Gayda reiterates