Evening star., 1926-04-04

cause Brazil wanted a seat, permanent seat
in the council, and could veto all new admis-
sons, could conduct a fllibuster without limit,
the situation of last week and the possible
situation in any future crisis become plain.
SO much for the crisis in seats, the weakness in
machinery, which must be cured II any real
progress is to be made. But, of course, the
gravest defect disclosed lies in the fact that pre-
cisely long as the great powers are divided
among themselves any issue the league
is quite poweress. Thus, during the recent
crisis in reality the whole assembly waited
powerless while three men, or at most four,
representatives Of France, Britain, Italy and
Germany, met and secretly debated under cover.
Three of these nations were nominally mem
bers Of the council of the league; technically
their discussions were under cover of the league,
but actually there was not q shadow of differ
ence between these private talks and those OF
the Paris conference to make peace. 1t was an
other case of the big five or big four Neither
the little powers, as such. nor the other mem
bers of the league had the smallest relation
to actual decisions. Instead of a League OF
Nations YOU had nd Stresemann, Austen
Chamberlain and Sgnor Scialoja meeting be
hind closed doors. arguing out issues which af-
fected the national prestige of their respective
countries
Despite all the things which have happened
since the Paris peace conference, nothing has
changed in reality except that President
Wilson LLOYD George Cemenceau and Or
lando were no longer representing their coun-
tries and Germany was present at Geneva
as she was absent at Paris. Always the SIT
uation turned, not upon what the league
might do for solving the problem, but solely
and simply as to whether the great powers
could find way to reconcile lhelr own con-
1icting interests.
In reality issues before the League of Ma
tions an institution which had been created
to serve the cause of international conciliaton,
could only wait until certain great powers VINO
had uuarreed quite trivial matters of
power and prestige composed their dinerences
This quarrel imperiled the real constructive
peace program, namely Locarno. which had
not been made at Geneva or under the inf1u-
ence of the league If the powers came TO an
handed down to it and might act upon it, but
If the great powers could not agree, then the
league helpless.
Therefore the great issue which has been
raised is whether there is any conceivable
fashion in which in of disputes between
the great powers the league can act. SO far
it has never been able to lift finger. When
the war broke out between Russia and Poland,
France supported and Britain opposed Poland.
but the league could do nothing. When the
Greeco-Turkish War followed the fact that
Britain supported Greece and France and Italy
supported Turkey paralyzed league action.
When Mussolni went to Corfu, Italy served
notice that # the league interfered she would
resign and at the same time informed certain
council members that Italy's vote for their
re election which they needed, would be with
held IL they permitted Italy's action to be at
tackled.
BY contrast when Greece and Bulgaria quar-
relied recently and there seemed danger of a
new Balkan war, the league was able to act
at once and effectively, because all OF the
great powers were united against both Balkan
countries and equally anxious to preserve
peace. Thus 1t was again proved that the
league can act against the small powers not
backed by great powers when all the great
powers agree TO action.
Now, perceiving the two great defects in
the league-the evil which Is due to interior