South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-01-17
BECOMES
REALITY FRIDAY
United States Fails to Figure
in Deliberations of
Meeting.
Rv United Press

Its first session convened at 1925
o. IN. in the famous Clock room"
Of the French foreign Office. Leon
Bourgeois. president Of the French
society for a League of Nations, and
president OF the French senate, pre-
sided.
Bourgeois delivered the opening
address. followed by Earl CurzOn of
Great Britain, secretary OF state for
foreign affairs
Leon Bourgeois was elected per-
mauent president OF the League Of
Nations council at the conclusion Of
the councils first meeting Friday.
The session adjourned at 1850
a. m.
The scene in the CLOCK room"
was in marked contrast when the
first session Of the league council
came together Friday TO that meet
ing II months ago when the league
was born.
At that time Pres't Wilson and
the American delegation were the
most dominant and powerful figures
Friday the United States was not
even represented officially. Her
name did not figure either in the
charter members Of the league or in
the list OF those invited to join
Allotment of Tasks.
The League OF Nations has been
allotted several distinct tasks, Pres't
Bourgeois said in his opening ad-
dress First is practical execution of
the clauses of the treaty OF Yer
sailles. Then the constitution pro-
vides international organizations for
regulation Of economic and social
life that will form the foundations
for the new era now opening. Final
Is there Is the international regu-
latiOn Of labor conditions to insure
welfare Of the workers and social
peace toward which already much
has been accomplished.
The president then took the ques-
tions which the council must settle
Immediately under terms OF the
peace treaty and the League cove
nant.
Organization of the league will
not be complete until an assembly
of all states comes together, ="
states invited TO join within two
months after the treaty OF peace be-
came effective, Spain. Argentine,
Paraguay. Chile and Persia already
have accepted.
First Solemn Act.
Even if the league thus remains
incomplete until a later date, to-
days meeting nevertheless bears
the character of the first solemn act
Today viii so down in history as the
date OF the birth OF the new world.
This decision is to be taken today
in the name OF the states adhering
to the covenant OF the league. 1t
Will be the first decree of all free
nations leaguing themselves together
for the first time in the history Of
the world 10 substitute right for
might"
Referring to the failure OF the
United States to accept the league,
Bourgeois said:
The task of presiding at this
meeting and inauguration OF the
greatest Of international institutions
should have fallen to Pres't Wilson.
I'VE respect the reasons which
still delay the decision Of our Wash
ington friends. but we express hope
these soon Will be overcome and a
representative of the United States
viii occupy place amongst us.
THE councils work then Will as
sumo that definite character and
that particular force which should
H.. ---o.~t- 1 ,rrffI, ,.rr-
with eyes fixed on the distant
future but with our feet on solid
ground of political and social rela-
tons we will create a world in
which this league can develop a
spirit of justice and a desire for
peace"
Premier Lloyd George and Wis
count Grey arrived late, entering
the room some time after the cere-
mony had started. Pres't Bourgeois
/ Immediately recognized them, greet
ing Viscount Grey as one Of the
fathers Of the league. Grey replied
he considered it the greatest honor
TO be president on the occasion Of
the leagues organization.
Curzon Gives Talk.
Earl Curzon. who spoke following
Prest Bourgeois, emphasized the
necessity OF doing away with the old
! secret diplomacy.
THE success Of the international
Z labor conference is a good augUry
for the future OF the league" CurzOn
said. ct especially demonstrated the
power or debate IN one field OF IN
| ternational action
'sThe peoples OF all countries now
have learned foreign Affairs are their
vital concern and are demanding
/ with ever increasing insisteDce thar
/ international obligations be not con
| tracted behind their hacks
Their eygs have been oDensd 10
The necessity OF cooperation bSt~een
al nar5ons- bu1 thsT mss mis- CO
operation bs IN The open
! --AnD1he= and mere IrnpD-LznI ~
sui n nay hope for is thai m
hah1z O. mu11a1 confdHnrs MI Al
| tUrnariCanv Czuss a11narnEn1s 10 dis
I appear
Opening his address aCurzUu
! praised the league as an instrument
/ supported OK public Opininn of the
\ entire civilized world.
'TThe League OF Nations is IL eX-
I r1r-sssiun Of the universa-. desire FOR
q saner method for regulating 1hs