NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 2 September 1924

2 SEPTEMBER 1924

The Fifth Assembly of the League of Nations opened at Geneva. M. Hymans, Acting President, said he trusted that the London Agreements would be put into effect, and thus give the world the relief which it so urgently needed. They would mark the beginning of a new era, a successor to the age, the iron age of trial, sacrifice, and suffering. He added that all eyes were turned in the hope that it would find a solution to the problem of security. All motions at this moment towards the League of Nations, the President of the Assembly, was elected

Mr. A. A. Purcell, M.P., chairman of the Trade Union Congress, in his presidential address at Hull, said that their first task must be to bring their Union organisation to the highest point of efficiency and strength. The highest Labour party was only strong and healthy in proportion to the health and strength of a united and scientifically organised Industrial movement. Referring to the Dawes Scheme, he said that the German eight-hour day must be firmly re-established. Workers’ sacrifices were not at an end. The German army and with it a proper minimum wage to safeguard the German workers’ standard of life.

Mr. Ponsonby, Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs replying to Mr. Runciman’s recent criticisms of the Russian Treaty, declared there was no question of dictation, threats, surrender or anything of the kind. After the breakdown he accepted an invitation from some of his friends in the House of Commons who were ready to act as intermediaries with a view to the resumption of conversations between the two delegations. By this means they were able to discuss in a satisfactory formula, and the Treaty was agreed to. He could see nothing irregular in the proceedings.

Mr. C. R. Das’s declaration of his future policy for India and his admission of his advocating a revolutionary movement are agitating Calcutta.