Evening star., 1926-03-14
GERMANY'S STAND
WARMLY DEFENDED
Stresemann Says Conditions
Make Her Course at Geneva
Only One Possible.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
GENEVA. March 13.-Foreign Min
lister StreSemann of Germany today
summarized for the Associated Press;
the situation in Geneva as it stands
at present, viewed from the German
standpoint.
Germany had come to Geneva, he
said, SO that her entrance into the
league might bring into effect the
work started at Locarno, the impof-
tance Of which for a rapprochement
between her and her former enemies
was fully realized.
During the conversation with the
powers," he added. I'VE We're told II
was desirable that before being ad-
mitted to the league we should agree
to three new permanent seats on the
council besides the one intended Tor
us.
''The German delegation has not
seen it's way to agree to Such pro
posal. because we see therein d SER,
ous breach of Germany's duties as
future member of the league and OF
the council.
In No Position to Act.
.Ou,- delegation further pointed out
that besides the proposed three new
permanent seats. other condltlonS lor
permanent seats had been put 1or-
ward. and as for these claims. 1t was
not in d position to judge or TO pass
upon their justification.
Finally We emphasized the TACT
that there existed well known rooted
opposition to the proposed enlarge
ment and that Germany had no desire
to weaken this attitude by the adop-
ton of a definite position before en-
tering the league and studying the
situation on the spot.
DR.. StreSemann insisted that during
these discussions Germany had Kept
decidedly within the spirit of Locarno.
despite the fact that public opinion In
Germany saw therein a highly unde-
sirable delay in Germany's admission
to the league.
Eventually he continued. the
creation of permanent seats was
relegated to the background and it
was suggested that Germany agree
to Poland being given a non-per-
manent seat. To this. however. the
German delegation can not agree.
first. because the demand that Ger
many, before her entry to the league
should put herself under an obligation
of this sort is not authorized either
by the statutes Of the league or by
any obligations accepted by Germany.
Sees Covenant Breach.
Secondly, this demand is, accord
ing to German belief. a breach of the
covenant. in that it amounts to Ger
many being used to meet u difficult
situation within the league, for the
reorganization of the council must be
considered as such. At a time when
Germany is vitally interested in i'm
proving her relations with France and
Poland, she does not want to use her
rights as member before she has
acquired them.
ITO put our position otherwise, we
don't want, in regulating such an i'm
portant question as enlargement of
the council, which SO vitally affects
all the members, to appear to be bene-
fitting two or three members only.
Thirdly, it is known to the Ger
man delegation that some important
members are just as much opposed
to the creation of temperament men,
bers. The distribution of non-perma-
nent seats also is solely within com
petence to the assembly.
"If Germany We're to assume obliga.
tions concerning this question before
her admission, and perhaps make spe.
cial agreements with individual mem
bers Of the. League she would influ
ence the cooperative work of the
League and, furthermore, place her
self in difficult position from the
very beginning"
In conclusion the foreign minister
| said:
These reasons, of whicf\ the last
| two seem to the German delegation
to have particular weight. make il
impossible for the German govern
ment. in spite of honest efforts te
take part in the solution of the pres
ent difficult situation and cooperate
in realization Of the great work OF
Locarno, to accept the latest compro
mise proposal"