Evening star., 1933-12-06
LEAGUE REFORMING
PARLEYS REPORTED
Divorcement From Principles
OF Versailles Treaty Is
Change Sought.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
ROME, December 6.-The Associated
Press learned in highest quarters today
that diplomatic conversations have be-
gun in the various capitals of Europe
seeking reform of the League of Nations
They began several days before the
Fascist Grand Council declared Italian
permanence in the League depended
upon radical reform Of that institution.
Absolute enforcement of the League
from the principles of the treaty of Ver-
sailles. which would eliminate from the
League covenant articles which guar
antee preservation of boundaries created
by that treaty, it under discussion, it
was learned.
U. S. Participation Seen.
The articles provide for use of mill
tary and economic forces to squelch
cases of aggression.
II these articles are eliminated, it is
believed the United States could be
| invited to Join the League. 1t was to
these provisions that America particu-
larly objected in declining to join Ge-
! neva, since it did not wish to be
| embroiled in European affairs.
Russia, Germany and Japan could
| also be invited to join, it was under
stood. They would form league with
| in the League itself possibly. with one
| or more of the reasonably large nations
| such as Poland and Spain who also
might be included in this inner circle.
Three Areas Planned.
Under the proposed reorganization 1t
| was learned, the world would be divided
into three sections of influence to be
dominated by the large nations:
(A) Europe, to be influenced by Ger
many, France, England and Italy.
OBJ Asia to be dominated by Russia
| and Japan.
&C. The Americas, to be dominated
by the United States.
The above changes would deprive the
League Of its present power in military
sense and would inevitably weaken the
| institution, observers believe, but it was
| thought the new principle which would
be breathed into the League by the
reform would make it more powerful
than ever by bringing in the four large
| nations now outside.
Supporters of the program emphasize
| that any invitation to the United States
/ "Oulo COUlC lIUIIl OIlC udtlOu VI
dividual but from Geneva itself.
Duce's Stand Supported.
Fascist Italy Is rallying around the
| standard of II Duce, supporting the
premier's threat to leave the League OF
Nations unless it is given a thorough
remodellng.
| In every morning newspaper today,
the decision OF the Fascist grand coun-
Gil. presided over by Mussolini, to put
stiff fixed price upon this nations
continued support OF the League was
given big type display.
| The councils decision that Italy
! would remain at Geneva only on condi-
ton that the League is radically re-
formed" was regarded as throwing
down the gauntlet to the body.
The exact nature Of the reforms de-
manded and whether they had been
presented to the League was not known,
but Fascist masses found in the coun-
ellis general statement ample grounds
for enthusiasm
New Crisis for League.
| The councils announcement Of the
League and its companion decision to
pay 81 600 900 to the United States on
war debt interest due December Is
came yesterday after a long talk in
which Premier Mussolini bitterly criti-
cized the League in its present form
as ineffective"
The decision puts the League face
to face with a new crisis, since Italy's
stand can be viewed only as q threat
to follow Germany and Japan out un-
less its machinery is revamped to suit
her demands.
The debt interest installment on
which the council agreed to pay ST.
900 amounts in itself only to So
100000
! The council decided to pay 81 ,00O-
600 as renewed proof of Italys good
faith" the communique said. This
was done while awaiting definite sys-
tematization to close this debit and
credit account resulting from the World
War"