New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-06-15
Campaign to Popularize
Pact of Nations OPENS
With Big London Meeting;
1000 Applaud Speakers
Would Admit Germany
English Statesman Declares
Berlin Will Have Seat at
Council After Novitiate

LONDON, June IA campaign to
populsrize the league of nations was
launched last night by the British
League of Nations Union. Albert Hall
was packed with a crowd which was
estimated at more than 1000 persons.
Viscount Grey, who received a great
ovation when he entered, presided.
The principal address was made by
Lord Robert Cecil, the other speakers
being John Robert Clynes, former
: Food Controller; DR.. Alexander Irving,
Archbishop Of Canterbury, and DR.. John
Clifford. John ". Davis, American
Ambassador, was present, as was Vice
Admiral Sir David Beatty.
All the speakers dwelt on the neces-
sity for united and Jealous popular
support to make the league reality
and success. Lord Robert Cecil, in
the course of a discussion and defence
of the league, twice referred to Presi-
1 dent Wilson, being vigorously ap-
plauded.
HecklerS Are Answered
The enthusiasm of the audience for
the league was in evidence throughout
: Lord Roberts speech, but here and
there were few hecklers who tried
to interrupt him. Several men in the
gallery unfurled red flag inscribed
"Warships Are Fighting a Socialist Re-
public" evidently referring to the
&rh h1tp Ox,% IL. u.
warships in the Baltic. When Lord
Robert was naming the trainers of the
league covenant, man shouted "What
about Ireland?" Lord Robert quickly
retorted: ireland was ably repre-
& sented, if l may say so, by General
SHUTS and myself"
The audience warmly cheered the
speakers arguments for admitting Ger
many to the league. but the applause
was punctuated by cries of protest, one
voice shouting: you bloody traitor!"
The audience shouted: put him QUIT"
and cheered loudly when the man was
elected
: Viscount Grey made an eloquent ap-
peal for the British people, in conjunc-
ton with the peoples of other nations,
to give life and reality to the league,
now that the governments have com
pleted their parts in it.
Fought for an Ideal
"We fought for an ideal during the
war;" he said; Cannot we fight for an
ideal after the war? Great Britain has
& been great in war; she must be great
& in peace. Refuse to listen to those who
regard the league as an impracticable
ideal. 1t is a choice between life and
death to the world. Any future war
will be vastly more terrible than the
last, owing to inventions and the prog
ress Of science. Hence there is need
that we work for an ideal, namely,
world peace"
Lord Robert, who spoke for nearly an
hour, said that nobody would claim the
covenant of the league of nations was
perfect.
"But it is a living organism he con-
tinued, (which will grow and adapt
itself to requirements. There is
charge that the league is an organiza-
ton which favors the British Empire.
but such critics have forgotten that
virtually no important decision is pos
fSNNtS W1"SiNON GAS SOlloeNG VI Inc COun-
ell, in which there is no probability
whatever that the British Empire will
ever have more than one vote.
Must Include Germany
"If the league is to be a reality, Ger
many and Austria must be included,
because if these powerful nations are
excluded they will be driven into in
trigues against the league. Moreover,
the league must be a league of nations,
not Of governments"
Lord Robert argued that British ad-
vocacy of the league was not selfish.
"She, perhaps, has less need of the
league than any other nation. Her
European position is relatively stronger
than ever it has been in her history.
Her feet is unbeaten and more power
full than before the war. Her army is
larger and better trained than ever
and even on the economic side she is
in better position than those who be.
fore the war were described as her
rivals. In regard to Germany's admis-
sion TO the league, reasonable guaran-
tees Of the sincerity of German pro-
stessions are necessary, and a certain
snovltlate Is needed, but the shorter
mat novltiate can be safely made the
better. / see no reason why it should
De more than a few months"