A difference of opinion prevailed among the Foreign Ministers of England, France, Germany, Poland and Roumania with regard to the question of changing the procedure for submitting petitions to the League of Nations by the national minorities in the respective countries when the question was taken up at yesterday’s session of the League’s Council.
While Dr. Stresemann, German Foreign Minister, advocated the proposal of Senator Dandurand, the Canadian representative, to change the procedure, the Polish Foreign Minister, Zaleski, as well as Titulescu of Roumania, declared that the procedure cannot be changed without the approval of the interested governments.
Sir Austen Chamberlain, British Foreign Secretary, expressed as his view that the present procedure is satisfactory in general. However, some modifications may be allowed within the limits of the international treaties. ‘The national minorities question will always exist. However, we hope that the protection of the League of Nations for the national minorities will not be necessary forever. It is the duty of the minorities to be loyal to their countries of residence,” Sir Austen stated.
M. Briand, for France, stated that the difficulties in changing the procedure lies in the fact that the League of Nations is responsible to the governments of each country and must respect the sovereignty of each government. It is also necessary to prevent those who might, under a changed procedure, utilize the national minorities question to further their personal ambitions for a political career for themselves, Briand stated.
“It is the purpose of the national minorities clauses that the minorities are not to be assimilated by the people among whom they dwell, but that (Continued on Page 4)
they should live in full harmony with the government, protecting their own culture and traditions,” M. Briand explained. The French statesman praised the committee of three which so far has dealt with investigating complaints. This committee, he stated, did good work. During 1928 it held 44 sessions and took up 23 petitions from eight different countries.
The German Foreign Minister proposed that the Council name a committee to study the protection of minorities, both in principle and as regards changes in procedure, such as proposed by Senator Dandurand. A resolution to this effect will be introduced, Dr. Stresemann said.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
