* * * * The Axe at Geneva Rather wild
and comprehensive allegations of " a political purge " in the League of Nations Secretariat have in the past week gained more currency than they appear, in the light of facts, to merit. It is true (but not new) that a committee appointed during the recent Assembly is about to meet .o consider how economies can be effected at Geneva, and that its findings will almost certainly involve some reduction of staff. It is also true that the personal assistant of the Secretary-General (both are Frenchmen) has had his engagement terminated, owing, it is stated unofficially, to differences of opinion between him and 11, chief on political questions. That seems to be all that h.' happened so far, but there is undeniable anxiety lest in tle coming reduction of staff persons of particular political view. —notably those of views distasteful to totalitarian States— should be deliberately, if unobtrusively, selected as victims of the axe. Any such discrimination would be a scandal, and there is no justification for crediting the Secretary-General with contemplating it. He will no doubt act with all the greater circumspection in view of the apprehensions that have been publicly voiced.
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