The Waikato Times TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 1936. REFORMING THE LEAGUE

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19913, 16 June 1936, Page 6

The Waikato Times TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 1936. REFORMING THE LEAGU E

The chairman of a special committee appointed by the Council of the League of Nations to deal with the application ot‘ economic sanctions, has prepared a plan for amending the constitution of that body. The Object is to remove—at least temporarily—the clauses that have been used by opponents of the League to prevent the adherence of the United States and other countries, especially Article 16 of the Covenant, which makes an aggressor State guilty of having committed an act of war against all members. The American Opponents of the League held that this would involve the United States in European disputes and run counter to the policy of complete isolation long followed by the big Republic. It has now been Suggested that this Article should not apply until all countries are members of the League and disarmament has been efiected. The Abyssinian dispute showed that the League had not the power to prevent aggression, but a surprising degree of co—operation was secured to enforce economic sanctions against the nation declared the aggressor. That course has certainly weakened Italy industrially and it is having a, cumulative effect. Even if it were dropped the adverse results would be felt by Italy for years to come. The summary interruption of her trade has made other countries look elsewhere for the goods and materials she formerly provided, and it is inevitable that at least some of these business connections will be maintained.

It remains to be seen whether public opinion, especially in Great Britain and in the Little Entente States, will consent to amendments that would weaken the structure of the Covenant. The test may come when any proposal is made to jettison sanctions and resume the usual relations with Italy. The studied disregard of treaties, and especially the resort to the use of mustard gas against the Abyssinians, may not make the peoples, despite Government policies, willing to be again closely associated with Fascism. One of the leading publicists at Home has stated that he does not believe the League Covenant is susceptible to drastic transformation. “Efforts to bend it,” he said, “might easily break it.” The idea that because it is extremely difficult to attain the objectives of the League they should be lowered a little will certainly not appeal. The best course, it is urged, is for the members to ascertain fully Why the League failed to prevent aggression, and, in the light of the facts, set to work to ensure that the way of the aggressor shall be made over harder.