The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-10
Possibility of Other Decisions
Before america Can Partici-
pate as Member.
WILSON IS EMBARRASSED
Forced to Call Meeting of
Council, Yet Senate Has
Not Given Assent.

Srd6 Correspondent Of TUE Sun.

Copyright. 1919, all rights reserved
PARIS, oct. although It is not the
idea Of the American promoters OF the
be done at the first council meeting here
beyond handling OF the Saar question.
the French seem to be planning to bring
Up n number of important matters, in
Guiding the question of moving the
league headquarters from Geneva to
Brussels.
Whether these questions will be settled
or merely referred to future meeting is
as yet undetermined. The ratification OF
the peace treaty by royal Italian decree
suddenly has focused attention upon this
first effort of the league to function, the
treaty making it obligatory for the
league to meet in fifteen days after the
treaty becomes effective.
Confronted by the anomalous situation
Of the league being obliged to attempt to
function with but four or FIVE members
and with the United States not partici-
pating diplomatic circles here seem to
be in grand state of confusion as to
lust what to do with the infant which
ratification by three Powers auto
matically brings into being.
Effective in n Fortnight.
II was the hope of Col. L. NJ. House,
who has been preparing for the league
Inauguration, that italy would not rat
fly by royal decree. thus giving the
United States time to participate in the
first council meeting But Italy, under
French pressure, now has ratified, and
this means that the treaty probably will
become effective through the deposit here
of the process verbale in about two weeks.
This also means THAI President VIII
sor then must call the league council
together in Paris Immediately and that
ne also must issue call for a general
league meeting to be held later. Thus
because of the treaty situation in the
Senate the three Power ratification pro-
viso has operated in matter to dis
appoint the American league promoters
unlese they can induce the Senate to
accept the covenant in the next three
weeks Few believe, however. that the
Senate will be swerved by a situation
fol which the league promoters have
only themselves to blame.
How unfortunate the present situation
is was emphasized by Col. Houses eff
forts here to get Italy to withhold ac-
ton so that America could be the third
ratifying Power. 1t now looks IS IL the
council for the first meeting would be
composed of representatives of Great
Britain, France, Italy, Belgium. Spain
and possibly Japan and Brazil.
Geneva Appears Doomed.
The latest development in the situa-
ton is the movement started in French
circles to have this meeting move the
league seat to Brussels. The French
and British always favored Brussels and
it was President Wilson alone who
forced the selection of Geneva against
the judgment of all his associates. The
movement to change this decision at
the first opportunity suddenly has de-
rived new momentum through Switzer-
lands coyness in postponing her decision
as to whether she will enter the league.
The French diplomats say that this
puts Geneva out of the question as an
immediate league seat. Internationally
President Wilson's representatives. here
will make every effort to prevent this
or any other important matter being
settled at this first meeting outside of
the Saar commission and approval of
the scheme of organization: but from
talk in French circles the idea seems to
prevail that there is to be a general
discussion of many waters of great in
te,eSt