The Waikato Times. With which is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 1926. THE LEAGUE CRISIS.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16750, 17 March 1926, Page 6

The Waikato Times. With which is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 1926. THE LEAGUE CRISIS.

Whatever the outcome of the negotiations at Geneva, it would be idle to deny that the prestige of the League of Nations has sustained a severe shock. When the agreement was reached at Locarno, and the pact was ratified by the Treaty signed at London in December, it was hailed as a triumph for the Spirit of Peace. There were loud protestations of amity and goodwill; old friendships were declared to have been cemented, and erslwhile enemies were warmly embraced and welcomed into the charmed circle. Pessimists were discomfited, and optimists rapturously declared that the millcnlum had arrived—that henceforth grass would grow in the cannon's mouth and that the spears and the swords would be converted into pruning hooks and ploughshares. The League of Nations was to guarantee the peace of the world, and to thai end Germany, the direct author of the 191 i cataclysm, was, chastened and repentant, to be admitted into full membership, and thus lie accorded undisputed proof that she was no longer regarded as an outcast or a pariah, but a trusted comrade. Wilhout such confidence there could he nn peace. Hardly, however, had the ink dried on the parch men Is ere sinister influences began lo work. The public professions of friendship were followed by private wire-pulling, and it was njadc evident that the spirit of mutual trust was absent. The prospective influence of Germany upon the League, was regarded by some of the signatories with suspicion and distrust, and a movement was engineered io ensure that other countries should lie given a permanent seal on the Council concurrent with Germany, presumably to ensure an anti-German bloc. A special meeting of the League was convened for Hie purpose of admitting Germany to membership, but when the delegates assembled al Geneva, it was found that some of them were determined that Germany should not be the only entrant, and

rancour and anger have been much in evidence at the Council table. There can be no doubt that Germany was led to believe that she would be admitted to the League as it was constituted at the lime the Treaty was signed in London, and she is quite justified in rcadingx into subsequent developments a slight upon herself as evidence that her paciile professions are not accepted at their face value, and it is difflcult to sec how she could, with a due sense of national selfrespect, accept the situation. It is certainly regrettable that the position has arisen, and the storm of protest which has been voiced in England indicates that resentment exists at the attitude taken up by Sir Austen Chamberlain, who it is averred has fallen a victim to the wizardry of M. Briand, the French Prime Minister, and having made a promise is 100 conscientious lo retract. To the onlooker it certainly appears that a serious crisis has arisen, and that the very existence of the League is" at stake. If there were mutual trust and confidence there would be no hesitation in admitting Germany to the Council as was undoubtedly originally contemplated at the special meeting now being held, and that having been done the election of the other countries to permanent seats could have been calmly considered at the next ordinary session in September. Such a course would have been dignified and proper and in full accord with the spirit of Locarno. The bickerings, wrangling, and table-thumping indulged In by the representatives of several countries would, however, indicate that the Locarno spirit has not been taken to Geneva, and the ebullitions afford ground for anxiety concerning the stability of the foundations of the League itself.