Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-13

that his confederation would begin its
work by emphasizing the necessity OF
meetings of the European states to solve
economic problems caused by the dlVl-
sion of the continent into 80 customs
tariff frontiers.
One European statesman then said:
Europe means business. We are headed
for economic ruin unless We get to-
gether."
william Graham, president of the
British Board of Trade and a delegate
to the Assembly, had emphasized the
idea of a two-year tariff truce in his
speech to the session on Monday.
I'VE should try to get an agreement
first of all that for a period of two years
we shall not increase above the existing
level" he said.
I'VE must secure during the two years
an understanding that countries will not
await the end of that period and the
outcome of conference. But will,
whenever they have the opportunity, re-
duce singly or in multilateral agree
ments the existing tariff walls"
The British delegate then proposed
that the European nations take CO.
or erative steps to determine how the
present European tariff levels might
most successfully be lowered.
LET us not close the doors in the way
of scheme for an economic confedera-
tion," he said after declaring that such
a confederation must avoid discrimina-
ton against ANY continent or country"
The attempt to avoid discrimination
seems to have been made by the in
vitation extended to non-member states
of the League as well as member states.
This would permit both the United
States and Russia to take part in the
conference.
Ask Slavery Probe.
The African Republic of Liberia,
which was largely established by
American ex-slaves, today proposed to
the League of Nations that a commits
sion should conduct an inquiry into the
question whether slavery now exists in
Liberia.
The Liberian delegate, DR.. A. Sophie,
speaking before the League committee
on technical organizations, said Liberia
was not willing to send its own COM
mission to investigate this question, but
would welcome an inquiry by commits
sion composed of one member selected
by the United States, one named by
the League of Nations and the third
named by Liberia.
The American Government, he said,
had declared its willingness to partic1.
pate. Sophie said that slavery did not
exist in Liberia. His statement was
made as the result of decision by the
committee to revive the slavery COM
mission of the League as proposed by
Lord Cecil of Great Britain, who
asserted there are still 100000 slaves.
The threatened situation in League
circles created by the Chinese delega-
ton seemed practically settled today
when the program committee voted to
refer to the routine course Of business
the resolution presented by DR.. C. G.
WI, aiming at the revision Of "inap-
plicable treaties" as provided by the
inactive article of the League covenant
The Chinese resolution will go to
the committee on constitutional and
iuridical questions, whose recommends
lions will be placed before the Assembly.
The significant question regarding the
possibility of the League interesting it.
self In the revision of old treaties which
NAV menace international peace still
rests on the final fate OF the Chinese
proposals.