LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, Issue LIV, 17 November 1920, Page 4

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

MEETING OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS AT GENEVA.

(By Electric Telegraph-~€opyright) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association)

LONDON, Nov. 16.. A noteworthy feature of the Assembly rs that it includes thirty-six members of the diplomatic corps, principally representing smaller Powers, wnilo the remaining members are mostly men with political careers behind them. 'The absence of any outstanding statement or activity concerned with the restoration of Europe robs the sittings of much interest. Mr. Barnes moved to send a telegram to President Wilson wishing him a speedy restoration fcp health. Mr. Doherty (Canada) objected to Mr: Barnes’s suggestion, presumably owing to America’s abstention from the League. , The Assembly, however, accepted Mr Barnes’s motion. The Assembly debated lengthily the rules of procedure, Italy objected, to the acceptance of provisional rules until they had been properly examined. Senator Millen thought they might find themselves in difficulty if • they* accepted the rules en bloc without making provision for the suspension of any of them if it was found they hampered debate. The President informed Senator Millen that provision would be-made 'to modify any rule. It was decided to appoint six Commissions, the first to ideal with procedure, amendments to the Covenant, and relations between the Council and the Assembly; the second, technicaForganisations dealing with hygiene, the white slave traffic; the opittih. traffic; transit question, economics, and fipancial organisations; third, the permanent fcourt; fourth, the League budget ; fifth, new admissions to the League; sixth, reduction of armaments, preparation for the League’s economic weapon, and mandates.‘ ‘ It was originally intended to have a separate Commission, to deal with mandates, but M. Bourgeois, during a discussion declared tha tth© : question of mandates was not - ripe for decision. The mandates would require to b© examined by the Council,- before .ijiJhni®sion to the Assembly. Therefore it was decided to add mandates to the work of the sixth Commission. GENEVA. Nov. IS. ’ President Motta, in welcoming the delegates, expressed thanks for President Wilson’s services in inaugurating the first meeting, and hoped America would soon be participating in the meetings, also Russia and other nations. » , .

AN EXPLANATION*

LONDON Nov. 16. Mr. Doherty explains that his reported reference tq a motion tp telegraph President Wilson was erroneous, and arose through a mistake in interpretation. He had exclaimed that Canada did nofc wish to. pay tribute to the memory of any particular n an. This referred io a proposal to do homage to Rousseau. He understood the interpreter to say thpt Canada would probably abstain from agreeing with a telegram to President Wilson, blit this was not so. Norway, Denmark, and Sweden each sent women reserve delegates as e»r ports on social questions. Swedish and Norwegian ladies occupied seats at to-day’s sitting.

' PUBLICITY, OR SECRECY.?

Nov. 16. French delegated urged that sittings of the various Commissions set up to examine phases,-of tho League's work -should ho , secret. - Lord Robert Cecil declared the League could only, live by favour of the public opinion <>f tho world, therefore it should take 4 tL© public into! th© fullest confidence. Nothing would; induce a better impression than a definite move by the League in the direction of the fullest publicity, thus getting rid Of underground negotiations. He moved an alteration- of the procedure rule to enable each. Cc mtnission, as far as possible, to sit in public. Sir James Allen supported , lord Cecil, but thought each Commission should decidp how far it_ would the press if not the public. Mit Fisher favoured a modified .French suggestion that a cothpief© proces verbal should be issued instead of admitting th© public. Finally Lord Cecil accepted aFi hj revision, which was adopted. '