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you. Its inscription on the agenda of the one hundred and fourth session of the Council was due to the Assembly resolution, reading : — " Arrange with the United Kingdom Government that the Committee of Investigation already operating in respect of Spain shall send copies of its reports to the Secretary-General of the League of Nations, so that he may have them circulated to States members, published, and submitted to the Council." • The debate was opened at the public meeting of the Council on the 18th January by M. del Vayo, who had been invited by the President to take a seat at the Council table. The Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, in his speech, gave an account of the results of certain attacks from the air by rebel forces on towns in Republican Spain. The Investigating Commission's report (Document C. 8, M. 4, 1939, IX and C. 8, M. 4, 1939, IX) deal with fifteen cases of air bombardments, a list of which is attached to Document C. 56, 1939, IX. On the attacks and the results achieved by those directing them there is no need to furnish details here. M. del Vayo confessed that he had no specific proposals to submit to the Council. He had hoped, and he thought others had hoped, that the Investigating Commission's reports would cause such a reaction in the public mind as to bring to an end such barbarous methods of warfare ; but he and those who thought like him had been disappointed. What is remarkable in connection with aggression in Spain and in China is the apathy which has characterized some of the leading nations. Doubtless memories of the war and fear of greater horrors are responsible for a state of mind which affects even Christian nations. The second point which the Spanish representative emphasized was the determination of his Government not to take reprisals. Of the speeches subsequently delivered by the representatives of the United Kingdom, the Union of Soviet Socialist Eepublics, China, and France, I need only refer to a passage in that of the representative of the United Kingdom, in which he pointed out that the Investigating Commission having been set up (and comprising British members only after the failure to set up an international commission). His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom had no further responsibility. The British reports did not necessarily reflect the views of the British Government, nor did they purport to furnish an account of all raids. Between the 18th and 20th January, when the item came up for final consideration, the President of the Council produced a draft report, which was considered at an informal meeting of the Council. It met with unanimous acceptance, and when considered on the 20th January was an agreed report. The passage of the report through the Council was speedy. The representatives of two South American States abstained from voting and gave as ground for their abstention that a civil war could not come within the purview of the League of Nations. In concluding by stating that the Council accepted its President's report, I quote for convenience of reference the resolution which it passed : — " The Council — " Having taken note of the reports of the Commission for the Investigation of Air Bombardments in Spain, " Having heard the statements made on the subject at its meetings by several of its members, " Noting that, according to the aforesaid reports several of the air attacks which have been investigated must be deemed to have been directed intentionally or by negligence against civilian populations, " Noting with satisfaction the declaration made by the representative of Spain before the Council according to which the Spanish Government maintains the decision mentioned in that declaration not to take reprisals in consequence of the aerial bombardments of which the civilian population in its territory is the victim, " Recalling the previous resolution of the Assembly and of the Council and, more particularly, the principles approved by the Assembly on September 30th, 1938, " Condemns recourse to methods which are contrary to the conscience of mankind and to the principles of international law." Towards the end of the final meeting of the Council the Secretary-General asked leave to read a letter (Document C. 58, 1939) which he had received from the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs. It concerns a report (Document C. 416, M. 261, 1938) drawn up by Sir Denys Bray and Mr. L. Webster, in response to the Spanish Government's request for technical assistance of the League in studying the problem of food-supplies for refugees. This problem is one of the greatest which the Spanish Government has to face. The one hundred and fourth session of the Council concluded with a brief speech by Mr. Butler (United Kingdom) congratulating the President on the gracious manner in which he had conducted the proceedings, and with a suitable reply from the President. Yours sincerely, W. J. Jordan, High Commissioner. The Right Honourable M. J. Savage, M.P., Prime Minister of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand.

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