AHITCH AT GENEVA

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16748, 15 March 1926, Page 5

AHITCH AT GENEVA

GERMANY REFUSES TO COMPROMISE FUTURE REGARDED AS CRITICAL BUT STILL HOPE FOR AN AGREEMENT k A deadlock is threatened at Geneva. Germany refuses to compromise on her demand that she shall he the only Power admitted to permanent membership of the League Council at the present session, and the other countries also refuse to give way. Though the situation is admittedly delicate there is no disposition lo regard it as desperate, and the general opinion appears to he that a way out of the difficulty will yet be evolved. There is a feeling in London that had Britain taken up a firmer attitude the unseemly wrangle would not have arisen. The attitude of the German delegates is one of firmness, and they declare that they expect the League Council to carry out the promise made to Germany.

LONDON, March 14.

The London papers yesterday morning Intimated that they regarded the position at Geneva as hopeless. The Geneva correspondent of the Australian and New Zealand Press Association, however, predicted the possibility of an eleventh-hour solution. This was forthcoming in Hie course of the day.

The German Chancellor, Dr. Luther, and the Foreign Minister llcrr Slresemann, strongly advocated referring the whole question on new seals on the Council of the League lo a commission to report, in September. In the meantime several of the minor Stales Intimated (heir willingness to withdraw from the Council in order to facilitate the entry of the newcomers. The Council at an unofficial meeting, however, decided lo convoke the Assembly,, for Tuesday for consideration of Germany's entry. Subsequently the Council will meet for the purpose of creating a permanent seat for Germany. Tins meeting of the Council will be critical. It will force all the dcegatcs lo show their hands. Failing unanimity, Germany may withdraw her application, in which case Hie Council will appear before tho Assembly in order to explain (he position publicly. Herr Slresemann conferred with M. Briand, the French Premier, for two hours at Geneva last evening. Later he made a statement lo the effect that it was a grotesque performance lo invite Germany to Geneva and keep her wailing a week while nothing occurred except demands that Germany should accept various conditions before she became a member.

The German Minister reiterated that he wis willing In agree to the appointment of a commission. Germany would be ready, as soon as she was admitted, to. do her utmost lo solve, tho entire problem at the September session of the League. Whatever nations the Assembly ihen elected Germany pledged herself lo readily accept them regardless of whether she was in a majority or a minority. "It is ridiculous," said Herr Strcscmann, later, "to press that the peace policy should be he shattered for the petty creation of a seat on the Council. The Locarno partners should slick together." Dr. Luther, in an address to German journalists at Geneva said: "We cannot differentiate between permanent and non-permanent seats on the Council, because our altitude is based pn the principle that we cannot apply pressure to anybody. We support a commission, and will wait and sec what happens." The whole question, therefore, remains shelved until Tuesday unless in the meantime, as is hoped, everything is smoothed over by Germany's unconditional entry. A TRAGEDY. THE EXTREME LIMIT. USELESS TO CONTINUE. GENEVA, March 10. M. Briand, in an Interview, said: "We have gone to the extreme limit of our concessions. Germany agreed to enter the League without special treatment. She now makes conditions which we cannot accept. We can do no more." The Germans, on the other hand, resented the responsibility being thrown upon them. There is still an idea that the whole matter will be postponed until September. One correspondent says it will only be a matter of hours before the delegations pack up. On Ihc other hand, it is felt that a solution may be reached at the eleventh hour. Several sources indicate that the Dominions' delegates informed the British Foreign Secretary Sir Austen Chamberlain, in very direct terms that Ihcy would vote against any increase of seals on the apart from Germany. Tragic Outcome of All Efforts. Sir Austen Chamberlain in an interview on Saturday said that he was more hopeful on Friday of a satisfactory settlement or the Council membership problem as the result of a passionate, appeal made ' by the Belgian Foreign Minister, M. Vandcrvclrlc, and of M. Briand's conciliatory attitude, also his own efforts to go one better. He now felt, however, that Dr. Luther's rejection of their proposals made, all efforts to conlinue the convcrsalions useless. The British Foreign Secretary described Hie outcome of all these efforts as a tragedy. As in Hie future, Hie whole affair was in the hands of the Council. It was impossible lo say what the read ion from Ihe latest events would be. 1 LATER. TORPEDOED BY HIKDENBURGOUTSPOKEN BRITISH COMMENT. NATION'S DIPLOMACY IMPUGNED. ((Received March 15, 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, March 14. Apparently President Hindcnburg torpedoed the suggested compromise, for upon receiving a telegram from Berlin, Mr. Luther' rushed hot-foot in Sir Austen Chamberlain's holel with the news. Though Ihe delegates, at Geneva are outspokenly laying the blame mi Germany the feelins in Rritain is someI what different. People are asking j why Mr Stanley Baldwin permits the I scandal lo continue?

AN OPPORTUNITY MISSED

The Daily Chronicle says: "This then is the outcome of .Sir Austen Chamberlain's free hand. The unseemly wrangle would never have occurred if the Government had adopted the attitude which British opinion unanimously favours. Despite Mr Baldwin's assurances lo Ihc contrary, it is clear that Sir Austen Chamberlain has been supporting French intrigue all the week. II is one of Hie most shameful and futile gestures of British diplomacy since the days of Charles 11. THE GERMAN STANDPOINT. SEMI-OFFICIAL STATEMENT. FRENCH BLAME GERMANY. ((Received March 15, 11.30 a.m.) BERLIN, March 14. The German standpoint at Geneva is explained in a semi-official statement that after careful consideration the German delegates have decided that it is impossible for Germany in Ihc mattcr'of her entry into the League lo depart from the fundamental principles or give a binding undertaking regarding her future policy in Ihc League, particularly in view of Hie. efforts of some of the members of Ihc League. " If a breakdown occurs at Geneva Ihe Germans alone are responsible," is Ihc unanimous opinion of Hie newspapers, which point out that the allies have gone lo tho extreme limit in the way of concessions.

Lc Journal's Geneva correspondent complains that the Germans have shown no signs of genuine goodwill.

The Echo de Paris thinks the curlain is far from being rung down at Geneva, and adds: "There is even ground for fear iliaf as Ihe resull of the, previous agreement between France and other Powers Ihe League Council may automatically be compelled by virtue of the agenda session to declare itself in favour of Hie admission of Germany." The correspondent suggesls that France will not oppose Germany's entry in Ihe. face of the Locarno Pad, and risk incurring Hie reproaches of Hie whole Anglo-Saxon race. He mentions that ihe" Italian delegate stated that Signor Mussolini instructed him to vote for Germany, and concludes by suggesting that France be dragged along the same path.

DOMINIONS' DELEGATES RETICENT FEAR FOR LEAGUE'S PRESTIGE. ((Received March 15, J 1.30 a.m.) GENEVA, March 13. The Dominion representatives arc reluctant lo discuss publicly Ihe delicate situation, though all are impressed with Ihc fact that Sir Austen Chamberlain lost bis opportunity during the week lo keep closely in touch will-, litem and report every development. While it is prelly clear that the Dominion representatives do not view with favour the expansion of the Council they are generally disinclined to "take a tragic view of the developments, but do not disguise a fear regarding the prestige of Ihc League if matters are allowed to drift. interviewed, the German delegates said: "If we are elected wc' shall slav; otherwise we go." They declared there was no question of their leaving Geneva. They were awaiting answers lo questions they had put. They expected the Council to decide whether the promise made to Germany was to be carried out or not. THE FATEFUL MEETING. FINED FOR TUESDAY. ANOTHER EFFORT AT SOLUTION. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received 1.30 p.m.) GENEVA, March 14. After an informal three hours' mdoting the members adjourned lill to-morrow. The meeting of Ihc Assembly for Hie purpose of voting on the entry of Germany to Ihc League has been fixed for March 10. M. Vandervcldc (Belgium) on leaving Ihe Council declared that a fresh effort, was being made to-morrow lo reach a solution, as It would be humiliating Tor all lo return home if Ihev had endangered Ihc work of Locarno. lie added that should no solution be readied before March 10, tbev at any rale would explain their position to the Assembly and learn the latter's opinion.