The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-01-06
BY MILTON BRONNER
Turouean MANAGER MA Service

BY MILTON BRONNER
European Manager, MA Service
LONDON, Jan. Elm the thir-
teen years since its first meeting was
held on Jan. Is, 1920, the history
Of the League of Nations has been
one Of moderate successes and gil
gantic failures. On the credit side
OF its ledger are these achievements:
Stopping a Threatened War Be
tween Bulgaria and Greece-Out-
side Of setting up the World court,
this act in 1925 was the biggest
job the league has done.
Settlement Of Greek Refugees
From Asia Minor-By means of
commission and raising of a $50
100000 loan for Greece, 1900 900
Greek refugees driven from Asia
Minor by the Turks in the war of
1922, were settled in their homeland,
given lands, supplies and made self
sustaining.
Ends Swedish Finnish Dispute
Ending the Dispute Between Swe-
oen and Finland over the Aaland
Islands-Finland claimed sovereign
ty and held on, though the majority
OF the people in The islands wanted
union with Sweden.
The league recognized Finlands
sovereignty but arranged new safe
guards for preservation of the
Swedish character of the popula-
ton. Both nations accepted.
Settling Differences Between Italy
and Greece Following the murder
OF an Italian general by unidentified
persons in Greece in 1923, Italy
seized the Greek island of Corfu
after a short bombardment.
Greece appealed to the league; in
a settlement effected through the
council of ambassadors Italy was
granted separations. Greece paid.
and Corfu was evacuated by the
Italians.
On the Debit Side
On the debit side of the leagues
ledger has been:
Failure to Bring About Dis
armament-In the thirteen years of
its existence the league has failed
to effect any real measure of disar-
mament as was promised in its
covenant
Lack of Courage in Manchurian
Situation-Japan waged virtual war
on China in violation of three
separate treaties, practically defying
the league to do its worst-and the
league did little beyond sending
the Lytton commission to in
Vestigate.
The leagues hits have been,
mainly, where little nations were
concerned Its misses have been
where the dominating big powers
were concerned. The big powers are
outnumbered in the executive
council by 9 to 5, and in the as
sembly by 50 to 5, but mere numbers
do not count.
Japan Carries Point
Japan and Finland offer an inter-
esting comparison The Japanese
practically said their actions in
Manchuria were none of the
leagues business, Just as Finland
had first said regarding it's dispute
with Sweden over the Aaland
islands.
The league sat on Ffnland-a
little power. 1t did not attempt to
"sit on Japan-a big power.
Today the japanese problem is
giving the league perhaps the great
est worry in its career. If the
leagues diplomats can not avoid a
showdown, two courses present
themselves: Cd Yielding to Japan
and letting her go scot free with
her Manchurian loot; (2) Defying
Japan 'and thereby risking the res
ignation and enmity of one of the
five great world powers.
A notable example of cowardice
on the part of the league came in
the dispute regarding possession of
the important Polish city of Wilma
which. whatever its population. was
historically a Lithuanian city.
Yielded to Poland
In the years just after the war,
Wilma changed hands several times,
during the process of which Poland
signed an agreement with the league
that formally recognized Lithuanian
occupation of Wilma. In October.
1920, so-called irregular troops
under Zeligowski took Wilma, disre-
garding this agreement entirely.
The League of Nations did exactly
nothing about it. Poland-ally of
France-had a powerful advocate
at court and Wilma remains in
Polish possession.
With Japan grinning defiance at
the league as its birthday nearS on
Jan. Is, thirteen years of the
leagues history seems to have
demonstrated one fact beyond ques-
ton: 1t is one thing for the league
to deal with a small power, and
quite another thing for it to deal
with a big power.
The first successful experiments