The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1920-11-20
British Delegate FavOrs Free Discussion-Frencb
Stands Pat For Secret Deliberations
COMPROMISE FINALLY REACHED
LEAVING COMMITTEES TO DECIDE
Executive Sessions Will Be Held When Commit
tees See Fit and Minutes Will Be Published AS
Soon as Possible

Geneva, Nov. '16. (By the Associat
ed Press).-How far the principle of
open discussion might apply to the
work of the assembly of the league
of nations was question which fur
nished the feature of today's ses-
sions. 1t brought into contest for the
nrst time in a sharp debate two of
the chief figures among the delegates.
Lord Robert Cecil, representing South
Africa, contended for open meetings
OF the committee as we'll as of the
full assembly. Rene Viviani of the
French delegation stoutly defended
the parliamentary tradition of private
committee work, with subseo uent
publication of the minutes His view
prevailed after a prolonged discus
Sion
Lord Robert pleaded strongly that
the assembly make a stand in favor
OF full openness of discussion when
the question Of committee work
came up.
M. Viviani pointed out that all
p, precedcntS were to the contrary. In
the dispatch of n mass of, business
before them, committees, he said.
were obliged to talk questions over
privately. Lord Robert retorted that
British precedents differed from the
| French.
n compromise finally was reached
between the two, whereby the COM
mlttees VIII be permitted to- hold
open sessions when they see 1T, the
minutes of the deliberations to be
published as soon as possible after
the sessions rs
/ Signor Tittoni, Italy; NJ Viyiani,
Lord Robert Cecil and George Nieoli
Barnes engaged in another lively
clash after recess over the proposed
rule that questions on the agenda
would be considered in the assembly
with the committees before the latter
deliberated qgg
Mr.. Barnes called attention to the
importance of committees having the
views Of the assembly on SUCH i'm.
portant matters before they began
work.
NJ. viviani strongly impressed the
assembly and gained the first gen.
eral applause since the opening of the
speeches by an eloquent plea for
greater action and less discussion. He
pointed out that under the rules all
questions were TO be discussed three
times-once before reference to COM
mittee, once in committee and once
again after they were reported on.
Signor TittonfS motion that the rule
he eliminated and Questions referred
direct to committee without debate
prevailed.
Several small conferences between
delegates preceded the tardy open-
ing Of the morning session. Lord
Robert Cecil and NJ. Viviani were sur
rounded by animated groups in the
front and center of the chamber. AT
the rear group Of neutrals confer
red with Hjalmar Brantig. the for
Iner premier of Sweden, while DIR.
F'ridtJof Nansen of Norway was very
active, passing from group to group.
The impression prevailed that
some Of the debates of yesterday were
rushed by the guiding minds OF the
assembly in their haste to ger on
with the work, but some persons tx-
pressed the belief that il some intek,
ligent Fastening of debate was not
carried out the result would be inter-
minable discussion which would keep
the delegates here indefinitely.
The development in the morning
debate seemed to support the latter
view. A confused and prolonged corr
iiict arose over the question wheth-
er substitute delegates would be al
| lowed TO sit in committee as we'll as
| in the full assembly, during which
Paul Hymans. the president, found
his first occasion to make violent
use of his new gavel which repiac-
ed the ordinary hammer with which
he opened the assembly yesterday.
Another lengthy debate occurred on
the election of the vice presidents.
This brought Viscount Ishii OF the 4
Japanese delegation to his feet tow
the first time to question the /rigH
of the president TO withdraw/a ~
position by DR.. Nnnsen thaI At %ast
| three Of the 10 vice presidentTo DO
elected should be n-ElXopean.
Every one being agreed FIscount
Ishii withdrew his objection