National Minorities Treaties Did Not Solve the Problem Yet, Says French Assembly Delegate

“The International Treaties guaranteeing the rights of the National Minorities in the various countries, although they are valid as documents of international law, did not yet fully solve the problem,” declared Henri de Jouvanal, Ex-Minister and French delegate to the 5th Assembl`y of the League of Nations in an interview with a representative of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency here.

“The question of the National Minorities is extremely delicate and complicated,” Monsieur de Jouvanal stated. “Despite the treaties signed, the League of Nations is aware that a treaty concerning such matters is one thing and the fulfillment, another. As the situation now stands, it is unable to do anything else. The power of the League is only moral and has no apparatus with which to enforce the execution of these treaties.

“The League of Nations sends annualy its commissions to various countries for the purpose of meeting representatives of the National Minorities, to report to the League on the situation of these minorities.”

The Councel and the Assembly gain thus first hand knowledge of conditions and are able to deal with the complaints.

“The object of The League of Nations is to safeguard the interests of the National Minorities”, Monsieur de Jouvanal further stated, “but it is also the task of these minorities to adapt themselves to the existing forms and not to create a “State within a State.”

Concerning the Mandate System, Monsieur de Jouvanal declared “that the present way of administering the Mandated territories must be altered. This is, however, a very delicate question and requires much investigation before any definite action could be taken.