FROM OCTOBER 23 TO NOVEMBER 23
GREAT BRITAIN
RESULTS OF OCTOBER ELECTION.—The British parliamentary elections held on October 29 resulted in a sweeping victory for the Conservative party. With 606 out of 615 seats filled, the figures were as follows:
Conservatives 408
Labor 150
Liberals 37
Others 11
The Labor party lost forty-one seats, and the Liberals 112, the latter, in fact, passing at least temporarily out of existence as a major party. In spite of their decreased representation, the Labor party polled about a million more votes than in the election preceding.
The MacDonald Ministry resigned on November 4, and Stanley Baldwin, as leader of the Conservative party, became Prime Minister. His cabinet, as announced on November 6, numbered nineteen, of whom twelve were in his former cabinet. The greatest surprise was the appointment of Winston Churchill, former Liberal, as Chancellor of the Exchequer. T. Austen Chamberlain was made Foreign Secretary, and William Clive Bridgeman, First Lord of the Admiralty.
RUSSIAN TREATIES CANCELED.—The results of the British election were interpreted as, in part, an overwhelming expression of disapproval of the treaties with Russia negotiated by the MacDonald Government. On November 21 Foreign Minister Chamberlain sent a brief note to M. Rakovsky, Soviet Charge d'Affaires in London, declaring that the new government, after due deliberation, was "unable to recommend the treaties in question to the consideration of Parliament, or to submit them to the King for His Majesty's ratification."
In view of this action, the question was even raised in the press whether the government had not, in effect, withdrawn the de jure recognition accorded to Russia by the previous ministry.
RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA DENOUNCED.—ON October 24, previous to the election, the MacDonald Government sent a sharp note of protest to Russia against Soviet propaganda, citing as evidence a letter, dated September 15, alleged to have been written by M. Zinoviev as head of the Communist Third International to the British Communist party, and holding the Soviet Government responsible for this action of the International.
In reply the Soviet representative in London declared the letter a forgery (apparently without waiting for information from Moscow). This note the MacDonald Government refused to receive as a proper diplomatic communication.
On November 21, at the time of the cancellation of the Russian treaties, the British Foreign Office sent a second note reiterating belief in the authenticity of the Zinoviev letter, and citing other evidence of constant and open propaganda by the head of the Third International, with the knowledge and consent of the Soviet Government, in spite of the latter's solemn undertaking. The note quoted and endorsed Mr. MacDonald's statement in the previous protest, that "no government would ever tolerate an arrangement with a foreign government by which the latter is in formal diplomatic relations of a correct kind while at the same time a propagandist body, organically connected with that foreign government, encourages and even orders the subjects of the former to plot and plan revolutions for its over-throw."
BRITISH DEMANDS TO EGYPT.—Following the assassination of Major General Sir Lee Slack, Governor General of the Sudan and Sirdar of the Egyptian Army, the British Government through Lord Allenby as High Commissioner in Egypt presented what was practically a twenty-four hour ultimatum to the Egyptian Government calling for an apology, prosecution and punishment of the criminals, suppression of political demonstrations in future, payment of £500,000, withdrawal at once of all Egyptian officers and troops from the Sudan and no further opposition to British policies for the protection of foreign interests in Egypt. It was further stated that the irrigation area at Gezira on the upper Nile would be increased at the expense of territory below.
Orders were issued for the dispatch of further British forces to Egypt.
LEAGUE OF NATIONS
LEAGUE COUNCIL ACTS ON IRAK DISPUTE.—The dispute between Great Britain and Turkey over the frontier of the Kingdom of Irak (British mandate) in the Mosul area was submitted to the Council of the League of Nations at a special session in Brussels at the close of October, and settled by a decision which accorded Turkey possession of a strip about forty miles long by twelve miles broad on the northern side of Mosul, but did not require the British to surrender any prospective oil lands, pending subsequent determination of the frontier by a neutral commission of three members. Both parties accepted the decision.
At the same time the Council took up a dispute between Greece and Turkey over the arrest of Greeks in Constantinople who, it was alleged, should be allowed to remain there as established in residence before 1918. The matter was settled by acceptance by both Greek and Turkish representatives of a report drawn up by a committee headed by Viscount Ishii. The report expressed appreciation of the fact that both Greece and Turkey had recognized the plenary authority of the mixed commission (four Greeks, four Turks, and three neutrals) established to supervise the exchange of populations, and pointed out that future juridical questions could be referred to the World Court. A report from both governments on treatment of minorities was requested for presentation at the meeting of the Council on December 8.
PEACE PROTOCOL OMITTED FROM LEAGUE COUNCIL AGENDA.—It was announced on November 18, that, at the request of the British Government, consideration of the Geneva Peace Protocol would be omitted from the agenda of the League Council meeting at Rome on December 8. It had originally been planned that a committee of jurists should be appointed to draft changes in the League Covenant made necessary by the protocol.
The British request was at first taken as indicating the purpose of the Baldwin Ministry to "scrap the protocol." Semi-official explanations were made, however, to the effect that delay was necessary before the new Ministry could determine its policy; and that if modifications or reservations were proposed, an effort would still be made to satisfy the desire of France for security.
FRANCE
RECOGNITION OF Russia.—Notes exchanged between the French and Russian Governments renewing diplomatic relations, were made public on October 29. In France criticism of this step on the part of the Herriot Government was in general reserved, pending the results of future negotiations over commerce and debts. It was announced that Leonid Krassin would be Soviet representative in Paris, and that Jean Herbette, former foreign editor of the Temps, would go to Moscow.
GERMANY AND AUSTRIA
ELECTIONS SET FOR DECEMBER 7.—Elections throughout Germany for the Reichstag as well as for the Prussian and Bavarian legislatures, were set for December 7. The campaign developed into a hot contest between the Schwarzweisrot (black, white and red) of the old empire and the Schwarzrotgeld of the republic: i.e., beween monarchist and reactionary elements and the supporters of the present régime. The Nationalists were themselves not wholly united in their opposition to the policy of the Marx Government, as shown by the fact that last August forty-eight voted in favor of, to fifty-two against, the laws putting into effect the Dawes Plan.
NEW AUSTRIAN MINISTRY.—After reconsidering a resignation shortly previous, Dr. Ignaz Seipel, Chancellor of Austria, on November 18 made his final decision to give up office. His resignation was due partly to ill health and partly to opposition to his policy of centralization of government power, especially in matters of finance. His successor, Dr. Rudolf Ranek, favors more autonomy for the provinces included in the republic. Commissioner Zimmerman, who remains as League financial representative, expressed the belief that the change of ministry would have no serious effect on Austrian finances.
SOUTHERN EUROPE
OPPOSITION TO MUSSOLINI IN ITALY.—Shortly after the opening of Parliament in Italy in November, Premier Mussolini was given a vote of confidence on his foreign policies of 315 to 6, and on internal policies, 337 to 17. This very favorable result came about, however, from the fact that about one third of the deputies, comprising the opposition, remained absent; and it was feared for a time that the 300 or more votes necessary for a quorum would not be secured. Premier Mussolini's attitude in the preliminary debates was more conciliatory than ever before. The opposition, in a manifesto issued before the opening of Parliament, declared that Fascism had obliged Italy, during her efforts to recover from the war, to concentrate all her energies in a fight for public and private liberties.
LIBERAL AGITATION IN SPAIN.—At Madrid a meeting On October 28 of political leaders in opposition to the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera ended in wholesale arrests of prominent chiefs, including General Berenger, former Governor of Morocco. On November 6 there was street fighting in Barcelona, and subsequently two of those arrested were put to death and thirty-six were held for military trial. It was believed that the government had forestalled a widespread plot for a republican uprising.
MOROCCO REBELS DEFIANT.—Spanish efforts to come to terms with the rebels in Morocco ended in failure at the close of November, when the rebels demanded payment of $3,000,000,000; delivery of twelve airplanes, a battery of artillery, and 10,000 rifles; and evacuation by Spain of all occupied territory beyond the fortifications of Ceuta and Melilla. It was believed, however, that Spain must accept these terms, unless Great Britain and France should intervene to bring about a more favorable settlement.
By an agreement with France thirteen years ago Spain came into possession of a territory of about 10,000 square miles along the coast, but since that time has been in almost constant warfare with the native tribes, at a cost of approximately $400,000,000.
UNITED STATES
DEBT AGREEMENT WITH POLAND.—From New York Times of November 15.—Washington, November 14.—An agreement was reached today by the Treasury Department and representatives of the Polish Government for the funding of the Polish debt of $178,560,000. It is along the same lines as the agreement reached with Great Britain. Secretary Mellon acted for the United States and Dr. Wladislaw Wroblewski, the Polish Minister, for his government. The agreement was approved by President Coolidge and will be submitted to Congress and the President and the Council of Ministers of Poland.
The debt includes bills for flour, Shipping Board services, surplus war stores and famine relief supplies.
This agreement is the fifth funding accomplished by the World War Foreign Debt Commission since its creation in February, 1922. Previous ones concluded and approved by Congress were those with Great Britain, Finland and Hungary. The one reached with Lithuania on September 24 will be submitted to Congress at the coming session.
Minister Wroblewski, in commenting on the funding agreement, characterized it as essential to the rehabilitation of Poland, and pointed with pride to the fact that Poland balanced the budget this year and stabilized her currency.
MEXICO
JAPANESE FISHING RIGHTS CANCELED.—From New York Times, November 16.—Mexicali, Lower California, Mexico, November 15.—Governor Adelardo Rodriguez, of the northern district of Lower California, announced here today that he had canceled all of the extensive fishing concessions held by Japanese on the coasts of Lower California.
The Governor explained his action by the statement that the Japanese had violated the terms of the concessions, which now will be turned over to Mexican interests and the fish shipments diverted from Japan to other parts of Mexico and to the United States.
The principal Japanese interests in the fishing business of Gulf of California waters and on the Pacific Coast of Lower California are headed by C. Kondo, who, it is reported, will appeal from the Governor's action to Federal authorities at Mexico City.
The concessions involved covered all fishing rights on the two coasts of the northern district of Lower California and had been extensively operated by the Japanese for a number of years.
Mexican organizations which will take over the business, have announced plans for the building of a number of fish packing houses south of Ensenada, Governor Rodriguez said.
Governor Rodriguez recently announced himself as a foe to Japanese colonization projects in Lower California. Replying to a Mexican delegation which protested to him on the occasion of a visit by a group of Japanese to Lower California, he declared he would invoke Federal laws to prevent Nipponese from colonizing territory within his jurisdiction.
COMPLETE BREAK WITH GREAT BRITAIN.—On October 25 the Mexican Government announced the withdrawal of all Mexican consular officials from Great Britain and complete severance of diplomatic relations. Negotiations between Great Britain and Mexico broke down last spring, and Great Britain ended diplomatic relations after the murder of Mrs. Evans, widow of a British subject, on her Mexican ranch.
On November 16 two Mexicans found guilty in the Evans murder case were sentenced to death by the Mexican courts. The Mexican Government charged the British agent with attempts to bribe witnesses in this case.
FAR EAST
OPIUM CONFERENCE AT GENEVA.—An International Opium Conference was held at Geneva during the last two weeks of November. Prior to the general conference, there were several preliminary meetings, during which the Japanese delegates created a sensation by declaring that Japan was discriminated against by other powers in regard to imports of opium. The British delegates had previously referred to scandals in connection with the issue of import permits by the Japanese Government, and had stated that opium and other drugs were diverted on their way to the country of purchase and forwarded to other nations for illicit gain, thus making special investigation of import certificates necessary. Japan resented this as a reflection upon her honor.
In the general conference which followed American delegates took an active part, in an endeavor to extend the conference agenda to all aspects of the opium and narcotic drug evil.
CHINESE CIVIL WAR.—The confused warfare in China took a new turn on October 23, when it was reported that General Feng Yu-hsiang, the "Christian General" and Eleventh Division Commander, supposedly 100 miles northeast of Peking, had reentered the capital, forced the resignation of President Tsao Kun, declared a cessation of hostilities, and set up a new provisional government. General Wu Pei-fu, up to this time the chief power in Peking and in command of the army on the Manchurian frontier, returned toward Peking with a part of his forces, but was soon obliged to surrender and go aboard a vessel of the Chinese Navy (which remained loyal) at Tientsin. General Feng occupied Tientsin on November 3.
The new government invited General Tuan Chi-jiu to assume control, and it was expected that this old Anfu leader would ultimately dominate whatever government was finally set up, which would undoubtedly be strongly under Japanese influence, with possibility of unification more distant than at any time since the monarchy.