created by the almost universal condemnation of Poland in Geneva.
At the same time the Foreign Ministers of the Little Entente, including Czechoslovakia, Rumania and Yugoslavia, after a three-hour conference, announced that they were unanimously opposed to the Polish attitude on minorities.
“The country I represent together with other countries are signatories of the Polish minority treaty,” Sir John declared. “We signed it. In that treaty Poland accepts the League guarantee for national minority protection. The terms of Article 93 of the Versailles Treaty cannot be overlooked. Poland accepted the procedure as to the manner in which the League guarantee was to be exercised. These resolutions became binding on Poland by reason of her acceptance. No country can release l#rself from obligations by unilateral action,” Sir John said.
Referring particularly to Colonel Beck’s statement that since yesterday Poland refused to collaborate in the application of minority guarantees, Sir John stated:
“I don’t know how this sentence can be interpreted. Poland accepted the procedure on guarantees which are binding for Poland. This is a matter of such importance for the League that I must put on record the view of His Majesty’s Government. I feel that silence by the United Kingdom at this time might contribute to any misunderstanding which might arise,” the British Foreign Secretary concluded.
Foreign Minister Barthou, who followed Sir John into the tribune asserted that Colonel Beck’s declaration might be interpreted as a threat against the League, or as an attempt to impose a fait accompli on the League.
“France cannot believe,” M. Barthou said, “that Colonel Beck’s speech means to create such a situation, which would arouse the fears of some and incite others to similar action,” the French Foreign Minister said, expressing full support of Sir John’s condemnation of Poland.
Immediately after the two statesmen finished talking, a rumor spread that Poland intends to resign from the League, but the Polish delegation denied the story, admitting, however, that Poland may possibly retaliate against the League by withholding part of its payment due the League as dues.
Baron Pompeo Aloiisi, Italian delegate, revealed that he favored revision of minority treaties, but only legal revision, not unilateral revision.
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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.
