The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-05-21
MAY Be
MADE CAPITAL Of
NATIONS LEAGUE
Such Choice Would Elevate
City to Place Once Held in
World Fight for Liberty and
Democracy.

Geneva, in Switzerland, cradle of the.
fteu cross, birthplace of Calvinism,
town of clocks and watches and sturdy
Independence, may be chosen the
worlds headquarters, the convention
city of the league OF nations
Geneva is centrally located, it is one
OF the most attractive cities of Europe,
1t was ostensibly neutral during the
great struggle. If chosen as the ma
tons meeting place it would combine
convenience with magnificent surround
lngs and an equable climate. From its
site at the corner Of one of the most
beautiful lakes in the world, Lake Ge-
heVar IT commands a view of the Alps,
including Mont Blanc, and the Jura.
In itself it displays many attractions
fine buildings, fine shops. fine parks
and statuary, including the sculptured
figure of the Duke Charles of Bruins
wick, who in 1873 gave Geneva his for
tune of So, 200, 900.
Geneva is the capital of the anton
of the same name, which contains 1906
square ~miles-twice the area of Cleve-
land-and the city itself has about $780,
600 inhabitants, including a goodly sized
colony of foreigners.
1t Is d fine modern city with ancient
suggestions, including a volunteer fire
department-and is well equipped with
the means for entertaining the army of
tourists, which, until the beginning of
the war, annually flocked to 1t. 1t can
care for the world delegates who may
be sent there, and Is quite likely to
erect a special peace temple for their
sessions.
Geneva's first appearance on the his
torical stage came % centuries ago
the Romans in 12S B. c., and known
to Julius Caesar. II led an uneasy eX-
istence for a thousand years or more,
was attached to Burgundy for a time,
and became al outlying town of the
German empire in 1898. 1t was a hot
bed of church disputes and of feuds
between the bishops and the courts of
Savoy, With the coming of the refor-
nation the disSensions increased.
In 1885 the Reformed religion was es-
tablished by law, and a year later that
vigorous French Protestant disputant,
John Calvin, was called to Geneva,
where he became the. public teacher of
theology and the highest authority in
the city-giving to Geneva the distinc-
ton of being the first Protestant city
in the world. Genevan was another
name for Calvanist; Genevaism was the
new theology; Geneva was the center OF
education for the Protestant youth of
Great Britain, France, Germany and
Spain.
Later on the zeal of st. Francis de
Sales, bishop of Geneva from 1902 to
1921, restored a considerable part of
lilC uiOIScS u SalllOiiClnlH'
Geneva was an Independent city for
many years, but with the coming of the
French revolution the local government
was overthrow and a mild reign of
terror followed. In 1889 Geneva was a
part Of French territory. 1t was re-
stored to independence after Napoleon's
overthrow.
In Geneva the Alabama claims arbi-
tration tribunal sat in 1872, and awards
for damages caused by the Confederate
ships Alabama. Florida and Shenan-
doah were fixed.
In August, 1864, the international
conference for establishing rules of
amelioration for the sick and wounded
in war was held. 1t adopted the pres
ent Red Cross emblem. Twelve Euro
pean states and Persia were represent
ed. A second series of rules Of a SINH
lar character were prepared in the city
in 1868. The gathering of 1864 was
virtually the beginning of the present
Red Cross organization,