Mr, de Valera has thrown a monkey wrench into the delicate machinery which has been set in motion to secure the admission of the Soviet into the League of Na-ons. As was pointed out in these colurans only a day or so before the manqeuvres followed for the purpose of seeing that nothing should prevent Russia's acceptance of an invitation to join the League were likely to lead to criticism, and Mr. de Valera jin a very outspoken speech has de-minded that the whole vital question should be discussed in public and of in hotel bedrooms. It is argu ble that whatever. concessions the 'Soviet have made in its ogreement with the United States on the subject of recognition might very probably be required by the League, but there Is no argument, save one of expediency, which' can possibly justify the admission of the Soviet to the League on any other terms than these {0 which existing members have already subscribed, nor should the new member, it and when election takes place, be subject to any modification of the rules which govern the conduct of others. While undoubtedly highly desirable that the Soviet should be brought to the fold at the earliest possible moment, there are certain aspects Shout the movement to secure admission this year which fail to pre sent the League in any dignified ight. The very invitation has to be framed in terms acceptable to Moscow. The draft has been forded to the Kremlin to see it it suitable, and the negotiations whiter have been undertaken, and the Jendeavours to prevent anything but on unanimous invitation going. for-/ward leave the impression that the fs abandoning the last shreds ite dignity in an effort to rehabilitate its status by securing the admission, no matter how obtained fof a nation it has been very well able to do without in the past. The whole affair is unfortunate and undignised and must give cause for cynical famesement in other countries which re about to relinquish their member-chip.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.