Evening journal., 1919-09-09
LEAGUE Meeting
Date UNCERTAIN
Failure of Senate to Ratify
Treaty Upsets the
Original Plan
HAD HOPED TO
MEET IN OCTOBER

WASHINGTON, Sept 9.-It now Is
virtually certain that the FIRST meeting
OF the leagne Of nations viii not be
held IN Washington in October as orig
nally planned.
The exact date depends upon the ac-
tion OF the United states Senate in re-
gard 10 ratification OF the peace treaty
containing the covenant which creates
the league. Should the Senate ratify
tho treaty in time 10 permit delegates
10 arrive for a meeting in November.
It probably will be held then, but II
the discussion Is much protracled, the
meeting time IS expected TO go over
until the lrst OF the new year, some
ilme in January. 1920 There probably
could be no meeting in December be-
cause OF circumstances which might
make it incOnvenient for some Of the
foreign delegates TO come at that time.
The frst meeting OF the league coun-
OF. however, can be called any time
after three OF the principal powers iavo
ratified the treaty. Il is expected 70
he held Immediately after such ra.ifca-
iion. Unless the Senate has ratified the
treaty by that time the United States
would not be represented at The meet
ing. which would be held in Paris or
in London.
Germany already has ratified and
France Is expected by some observers
10 ratify some time during September.
Italy generally is expected 10 be the
next IN line. and Japan Is expected to
act during the next three months. Great.
Britain has enacted legislation carrying
the treaty into effect. but has not for
mally ratified It. probably waiting I'M
til after tho Canadian Parliament, now
in session. has acted.
The situation as 10 ratification by
lesser powers and the large number OF
neutrals which signed the treaty Is not
clear in Washington. President Wilson
recently told Senator's Of the Foreign
Relations Committee that he had no Of
ncial information on that phase Of the
subject
When the council holds It's first
meeting-wheiher In London or I'm
Paris-the session is expected 10 be
comparatively brief. Appointment Of
The Saar valley commission and the |
appointment of a. high commissioner !
for D3nzig are expected TO be the |
principal business
The meeting Of the assembly, how
ever. which IS the gathering Of the /
whole league with delegates from all |
countries and which IS 10 be held in |
the United States al the call Of Pres |
idcnt Wilson. Is expected 20 bring rep /
resentatlves from virtually every ma
Ton in The world.
Perfecting a permanent organization J
will be the FIRST business. for the as
sembly undoubtedly will meet without /
a definite program.
After organization has been perfected
committees probably Will be named 10 I
lake up such questions as the founda-
ton of n permanent court Of inierna- !
tonal Justice. as provided in Article (
NV Of the treaty; disarmament. manu- /
facture Of munitions and kindred sub [
iccis which were left by the treaty /
itself 10 the league 10 work out. The I
commissions 70 administer the manda-
tories. as provided in the treaty, also
probably viii be named at this ses-
sion.
Premiers Lloyd George and Cemen-
ceau both have promised TO attend the
first meeting n domestic conditions
warrant their absence from home. The
French elections. however. come dur,
ing the latter part OF October and
might prevent the French premler's al
tendance at that time. II the premiers
arc unable 20 come Andrew Tardieu
NJ The French Chamber OF Deputies.
former head Of the French high COM
mission in America, who Is persistent
ly mentioned In French political gossip
as successor 10 Clemenceau, probab-
ly would represent France. Lord Rob
srt Cecil Is regarded as certain to be
one NJ the British delegates.
Meanwhile delegates from all over
the world have been making tentative ,
10 come 10 Washington ,
in October. on the basis Of the flrst e
announcements. and they are now
waiting 10 hear OF definite meeting
time. Many delegates, particularly
from the Far East. who have thousands
NJ miles 10 travel. viii require notice
ranging from three TO i've weeks.