THE LEAGUE: 59th & 60th

Seventeen days after it had assembled the 15th Assembly of the League of Nations adjourned last week. The great European expresses slid out of the station, their corridors jammed with voluble diplomats, and Geneva was left once more to the Swiss and the busy clerks and small committees of the League’s permanent staff.

The problem of Austria, biggest and most vital in all Europe, was deftly sidetracked. Italy had a plan which on inspection would have given her practically the same control over Austria that she now has over Albania. Vociferously France’s Louis Barthou roared protests. Britain refused to sign anything that might mean military intervention. The best that could be wangled was a joint statement by France, Britain, and Italy reaffirming their intention of preserving Austrian independence.

Disarmament remained in its trance.

Nothing was done about the coming Saar plebiscite beyond allowing the recruiting of a special German-speaking police force in Italy and Luxembourg.

But League defenders had victories to claim. The 15th Assembly was most successful as a membership drive. After much preliminary palaver Red Russia was given the right hand of capitalist fellowship (TIME, Oct. 1). And just before adjournment Afghanistan and Ecuador became 59th and 60th nations to join the fold. That left only two potent countries outside the League: Brazil and the U. S., with Japan and Germany withdrawn.

Afghanistan, where every shepherd carries a rifle, and boiling in oil is part of the criminal code, is the home of the world’s most rugged individualists. But Afghanistan, the nation, is a far more decorous member of the League of Nations than it would have been even five years ago. There are schools in Afghanistan today, and a national university. Credit for its gradual civilization must go to three kings: 1) the chuckleheaded Amanullah, who built racetracks, Roman arches, cinemas, and tried to force his outraged subjects into trousers until they rose up and chased him from the country (TIME, June 23, 1929 et ante) ; 2) Nadir Shah whose more tactful program was cut short by assassination last year; 3) Mohammed Zahir Khan, Nadir Shah’s son, who is concentrating on the practical business of building up an efficient modern army.

Outfitting that force has been a field day for the world’s munitions salesmen. At the present time Afghan troops wear second-hand German uniforms, carry British rifles and machine guns and ride in French tanks.

In theory small countries like Afghanistan and Ecuador must pay anywhere from $20,000 to $60,000 dues each year for the privilege of being League members. In his speech of acceptance Gonzalo Zaldumbide, Ecuador’s Minister to Switzerland, ingenuously admitted that the reason his country had delayed so long accepting the League’s invitation was that his country wanted to be sure it was going to be worth the money.

Actually almost every member of the League ought to be posted for nonpayment of dues. Out of 30,000,000 gold francs (Swiss) due from member nations in 1934, more than 14,000,000 francs remain unpaid. Even punctilious Britain still owes 1,000,597 francs for the year. The League secretariat could only list twelve nations (Canada, Denmark, Spain, India, Luxembourg, Mexico, Norway, Holland, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey) that are not in arrears.