Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-09-26
Execution of Obligations of
Covenant on Weak and
Strong Is Urged.
MEASURE OF CONFIDENCE
is SEEN IN ARMS FARLEY
Security for National Rights
Only Alternative to Competition,
He Says, Opening Assembly.

BY the Associated Press
of Nations is defendant lat the bar OF
public opinion" President canon de
Valera of the Irish Free State said in
opening session of the Leagues general
assembly today, and there is upon II
"a burden of justification which Is
overwhelming.
Recounting prevalent accusations Of
the Leagues weakness, De Valera said
the only way to silence charges of i'm.
potence or decadence is to execute the
obligations of the League Covenant on
all states, whether weak or strong.
The criticism, much of which he
called justified, comes from all sides, he
said, but the League must prove its
value to survive.
World Public Is Cynical"
Asserting the world public is largely
cynical of its activities, he said the
critics would have confidence only in SO
far as the members themselves place
their confidence in the security the
League is capable of affording.
The success or failure of the arms
conference, he said, will be a measure
of the confidence which the League
merits, adding that without progressive
disarmament it is almost impossible
that the League could survive
In portion of his speech, in which
npntinna6 uy1 {
generally taken to refer to the problem
of Japan's military campaigns in Man.
churia and also the European disarma-
ment controversy, De Valera said:
Security Only Alternative.
1.-THE only alternative to competitive
ornaments Is the security for national
rights which. an uncompromising ad-
hesion to the principles Of the Covenant
will afford.
Avoidance Of wars and burdens OF
preparatory ornaments is such con-
ern of humanity that no state should
be permitted to jeopardize the common
interest by selfish action contrary to tbs
Covenant. No state is powerful enough
to stand long against the League II the
League and its peoples are determined
the Covenant shall be upheld
De Valera also touched upon the Irish
situation in his speech.
Speaking for my own country" he
said, Il am confident if we are left fret
to pursue our own policy we shall sue
justment of our own social and eco
| nomic life, but in being able to contrib
ute more than our share to human
progress throughout the world.
I'VE in Ireland desire peace--peaCe
at home and peace in the world. Our
history is the history Of people who
have consistently sought merely to be
allowed to lead their own lives In theil
own way in peace with their neighbors
and with the world.
Way Will Be One of Peace"
IF we are left free our way will be
the way of peace, of thinking in terms
not of Self-interest, not of the acQuiSi-
ton of territory nor of petty power, but
right to live, in the best that our state
can give them while contributing tc
the world the best that is in U.S."
Acknowledging the honor to Ireland
in holding the Leagues high Office
De Valera said, in Gaelic:
May God assist us In the exalted
task before us and not permit us II
fail"
The Irish President rejected the pre-.
pared speech which customarily is fur.
nished to presidents by the League
secretarist and prepared his own ad-
dress.
Nicholas Politis, Greece's representa-.
tive and a supporter of French policies
! was chosen president of the Assembly
CONTINUED on Page S, Column A.