As was foreseen, Mr. Eden's aisumplon of the Foreign Secretaryship has been swiftly followed by a weakening of the enthusiasm displayed on his account by the perfervid cham-of sanctions. at all costa, Revertheless his" speech "may be taken as a reasonable affirmation of Great Britain's "support of the League, especially as it conveys 0 Pledge of the Government's. inten tion "to strengthen the resources by which collective security con be Upheld. From "Geneva " illuminating. comments come. Great Britain Is there regarded as being more concerned with European stability than the 'League's anxieties in Abyssinia, is mysterious manifestation "League opinion "has frequently aroused. curiosity of late, The source of its Inspiration cannot be ascertained. This' casts no aspersion fon the new agency which faithfully reflects "a point of view. It merely Prompis inguiry whether such 2 point of view can appropriately be identified. The League has opinions, according to the decisions of jis mem: bers in meeting assembled. "It not a sovereign state. It has no. executive authority, apart from its corporate entity as comprised in its membership. When therefore the world is asked to note that "Geneva"
the "League" is moved to express opinions on this or that national Pronouncement, it would seem that Something like 'a diplomatic indiseretion is being iNustrated. In partly cular the objection to Mr," Eden' reference to the findings of the Committee of five last September, arouses. interest. That "Committee was appointed by the Council of the League and consisted of representatives. of iaga) and (Turkey (Of. Aras). It was called upon to draw up proposals for a peaceful settlement of the dispute between Moly and Abyssinia. "Within eleven days its report was communicated to both parties. Tt failed to avert hostilities as all the" world knows, but st was regarded at the time as genuinely constructive attempt 10 recognize Italy's position and assist the economic advancement backward member of the League, Described by a competent observer as "a_ masterpiece of impartiality," the report made no specific mention of Moly except in regard to economic developments where her special pos! ton had been consistently recognized, Moly was to receive such recognition fon a basis of political equality. with other Powers and without prejudice to the existing rights of their subjects. "The shortcomings of "the Abyssinian administration found tacit acknowledgment in the proposal. to Introduce foreign officials, without adopting Italy's charges" but fan' examination. of the situation fon ils merits. While firmly up. holding "the independence of Abyssinia the report reminded that country of its obligations as a mem-[ber of the League. Actually the report contained much that encouraged Italy's lew of her requirements, in Ethiopia, short, of course, of complete conquest of the country. It failed to, Feceive Italy's approval; indeed Rome's rejection was emphatic. Yet, 'a5 Mr, Eden told the House of Commons on Monday, It is more than probable that that report will ultlmately be found to provide a basis for the settlement of the dispute, even though Italian forces are ay advancing and consolidating their grip as armed invaders. Why Mr. Eden's tribute to the wisdom of a League organ should be resented League" opinion Is a mystery which Geneva may condescend to solve In ie course, It provides yet another example of the complexity of the: problem of adjusting League relation. Ships to foreign polley.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.