A.—sb.

As to the date for the first elections he suggested that the President of the Council should decide this but that the elections should not be held later than 15th April, 1938. The expenses entailed by the work of this Electoral Commission should be advanced by the League of Nations. A further suggestion was that the League of Nations delegate in the Sanjak should be paid by the League, the Sanjak defraying only his office expenses. The question of capitulations was referred to, but the committee found that it was a matter outside its terms of reference. It should be noted that under the terms of Article 5 of the Mandate for Syria and Lebanon capitulations are to be re-established on the expiry of the mandatory regime unless other arrangements have been made between the Powers affected. The Rapporteur suggested that the Council would no doubt prefer to postpone consideration of this question. In speaking briefly to the report, M. Delbos (France) said that the whole matter represented a triumph for the League which had once more come up to their expectations and had led to the strengthening of the bonds that Prance had with Turkey. The representative of Turkey thanked M. Delbos for his kind words and also Mr. Sandler and the Council. Mr. Eden (United Kingdom) said that this was an example of what wise conciliation and goodwill, combined with the tact of Mr. Sandler, could do. It should be noted that the report covered full protection for all races and creeds. M. Litvinofl said he regarded the report of the committee with deep satisfaction, because the success of the League was a very important element in the policy of his Government. The Secretary-General made a statement to the Council regarding the expenses entailed by the work of the Commission. The point involved was the matter of the recoverable advances for expenditure in connection with the first elections for which the report provided. Reference was made to the financial regulations governing advances, which required a special resolution of the Council. The Secretary-General was of the opinion that there was no need to provide for expenditure for the proposed Commission before the September session of the Council, and as soon as any definite proposals in the matter were submitted he would put forward a resolution. The Council took note of the above statement, and adopted. the report and the following resolution :— " The Council approves the settlement of the question as described in the report of its Rapporteur, and, in particular, the draft Statute and Fundamental Law framed by the Committee of Experts, subject to the additions proposed in the aforesaid report." M. Delbos said that France accepted the report as a final solution of the Alexandretta question, and also the texts of the Statute and Fundamental Law. M. Riistii Aras replied that he would accept similarly on behalf of Turkey. In view of the vital issues raised in the question on the Agenda paper in regard to Spain, I have devoted a separate section to the consideration of the discussion on this subject. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, W. J. Jordan, The Right Honourable the Prime Minister, High Commissioner. Wellington, New Zealand.

5—A. sb.

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