The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1919-04-12

hours President Wilson attendins
the session and remaining until 1t
closed. after midnight No date wa.
set for a plenary session e. the Peac,
Conference to consider the covenant.
Tho covenant as the Commission
left It did not include any section
granting Japan's request for the rec
ognition OF racial equality. and nell
ther was section introduced cover
ing the request Of France for an in
ternational military general staff.
Both Japan and France announced
that they reserved the right 20 bring
up the amendments they desired be-
fore a plenary conference. As IL now
stands the covenant contains twenty
six sections.
The French delegation voted for
the adoption OF the text Of the cove
nant, but made reservations as 10
two points: First. the organization
and effective control Of the manufac-
ture OF war material: and, second, the
institution Of permanent military
control.
The commission decided 10 submit
the agreement TO plenary session
OF the Peace Conference shortly. but
set no definite date.
The discussion OF the Monroe Doc
tr1ne amendment is described by those
present as having been of n dramatic
character. concluding with n speech
by President Wilson deprecating the
opposition which had been expressed
and upholding the doctrine as one of
the great bulwarks against abso-
lutism. The debate came late IN the
session after other subjects had been
passed upon
The British attitude had been in
doubt until the last. but Lord Robert
Cecil turned the scales by announe-
ina that he saw no objection IN the
amendment IN the form presented by
the President.
N. larnaude Of the French deleaa-
ton followed Lord Robert with obIee-
tions TO inserting the Monroe Doc
trine.
The Chinese also offered objections TO
the amendment on the ground that It's
language was so extended that IL
might validate certain principles and
claims affecting Chinese affairs.
The President paid the closest
amendment and jotted down notes
for reply. In his speech the Presi-
. dent spoke with great earnestness
,'and with some evidence OF feeling.
He declared that the Monroe Doctrine
was enunciated to combat the Holy
Alliance and to hold back the threat
OF absolutism which was then menac-
ing Europe ana seeking 10 spread its
absolute power TO the Western Hemi-
sphere. II served its purpose in keep
ing this absolute power from the
Western world.
One OF its great purposes, he said.
was to maintain territorial and politi-
cal integrity. and having served It's
great purpose in the Western world IL
was now being brought To the lands
which had felt the hand of absolutism
and militarism. Il was a source OF
surprise and encouragement, the
President said, to hear opposition eS-
pressed to such a doctrine and such
q purpose.
The Presidents speech closed the
discussion. There was no vote and
when there were no further remarks
the Chairman Of the meeting said the
amendment would be considered
adopted.
II was announced to-day that the
selection OF Geneva as the seat Of the
League OF Nations has been made.
despite the plea OF Paul Hymans. Bel
gian Minister Of Foreign Affairs, who
urged the claim OF Brussels.
Bitter criticism has been aroused
IN French and Belgian quarters over
the choosing OF Geneva. The fact
that President Wilson's speech In be-
half OF Geneva was wholly RESPONSE
BILE for the choosing OF the Swiss city
as against Brussels is greatly re-
sented.
France was the only one OF the
great powers to vote for Brussels as
the seat OF the league. Sig. Or
lando. the Italian Premier. who spoke
for only two minutes. said he was
bound by the decision OF the sub
committee.
When the vote was called for.
Great Britain, the United States,
Japan and Italy, with two votes each
and Serbia, Greece. Brazil and Po-
land. each with one vote, chose
Geneva, a total OF twelve votes
France, with two votes. and China
cxeeho. Slovakia, Portugal and Bel
uium made up the minority Of six
votes. Thus Geneva became the
league capital.