LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19849, 19 January 1920, Page 4

LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

INAUGURAL MEETING OF

COUNCIL.

LONDON, January IG.

The inaugural meeting of the League of Nations Council took place in tiie cloak room at ()uai d’Orsay, Paris and was of a serious, businesslike character.

M. Bourgeois acted as Chairman having 0 n bis right Lord Curzon (Great Britain), M. Matsui (Japan), M, Dacunha (Brazil) and M. Veuezelos (Greece), and on bis left representatives of Italy, Belgium and Spain. Viscount Grey was present. Mr Lloyd George put in an appearance later, bin lelt after a consultation with Viscount, Grey.

, On tlie motion of M. Bourgeois Sir Lric Drummond was formally installed as General Secretary.

Ibo meeting also unanimously elected M. Bourgeois first Chairman.

The inaugural speech by M. Bourgeois was a fine exposition of the aims of the League.

Lord Curzon, following him. expressed the loyalty of the British Empire to tnri spirit underlying the Covenant of the League. He said it was the intention of Britain to do her utmost to ensure its practical efficacy, in the firm belief that only through tho League could wo hope to avoid the horrors and miseries of the past live years being repeated, and that a new era of intern national relationships should now dawn. Lord Curzon concurred with M. Bourgeois in the hope that America would soon take her place as a member of the League. On the proposal of M. Bourgeois It was decided that tho second meeting of the League should he held in London on a date to bo fixed.

At tho close of the sitting a Commission of five members was appointed to limit the frontiers of the Saar basin, three being nominated by the Council and one each by Franco and Ger nia ny. The Council’s nominees are Colonel Waco (Britain). Major Lambert (Belgium) and Major Kohaia Ash (•Japan).

The sitting lasted an limir and a half, the public were admitted to an adjoining room with wide alcoves opening on to the conference chamber.