26 JUNE 1920, Page 2

Mr. Asquith, who spoke after - Mr. Balfour, urged that it -

was the duty of the League to intervene in regard -to- the "recent aggressive-action " of Poland. He-argued-also that -the League alone had the right to give and define mandates; but-he-over- looked the words :in Article 22 of the Covenant limiting 'the League's right to cases " not previously agreed upon by the Members of the League." He asked how and when we- had received mandates for Palestine and Mesopotamia. It- would be well if the Supreme Council of -the -Allies wotmd up its opera- tions-and left-the League insole charge. Mr. Barnes repaired Mr. Balfour's. omission to-mention the Labour section of-the League. He suggested that both Poland and Russia should be invited to state. their ease to the League Council. Lord Robert Cecil said that the League did not receive enough publicity, and that -some Ministers were either lukewarm or hostile to it. The League's " only chance was red-hot conviction." Mr. Balfour

dissented. Red-hot enthusiasm," he said, "was. not a tem- perament in which one could• approach dealings with- forty-five separate nations, each one of which had a vote on your policy."