More Business

During the past week's session of the Fourth Assembly of the League of Nations the following business was enacted or came up for discussion:

Mutual Defense. The committee appointed to examine the Treaty for Mutual Defense adopted articles which provide for mutual guarantees between Members of the League according to their geographical position (TIME, Aug. 20). Dr. Benes of Czecho-Slovakia and M. Leon Jonhaux of France pointed out that "such treaties did actually enable States to reduce their armaments."

Opium. The Assembly suggested that two conferences be held to discuss the opium problem. The first would comprise representatives of countries having Far Eastern possessions, such as France, Portugal, Britain, Japan, Holland, India; it would be entirely concerned with the suppression of opium smoking. The second would be concerned with the limitation of the use of manufactured drugs such as morphine and cocaine. One or both of the conferences would be held in Washington.

Article X. A resolution affecting Article X was passed by the Assembly of the League by 26 votes to four. The resolution stated that the Council of the League should take account of the "special conditions" of all States when it recommends application of military measures against a nation transgressing the Covenant; that each State should determine the extent of its obligation to the League; that all Members should consider the recommendation of the League as "of the highest importance."