The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-11-16
TABLE +
F|GHTSSTART
Conflicting Opinion Develops at
Opening Session Of League
of Nations. -
JAPANESE TURNED DOWN
Mooted Questions Will Keep
Delegates Busy Until Christ.
/ mas Time.
BY NEWTON C. PARKE.
international News Service.

By NEWTON C. PARKE.
international News Service.
GENEVA, Nov. 16.-Tumult
broke out today in the meeting Of
the League of Nations Assembly
when President Paul Hymans was
accused of not reading motions be
fore the delegates.
The accusation was made by Sir
j. E. Foster, of Canada, during do
bate upon the rules.
President Hymans resented the
imputation, but the Canadian dele
gate kept shouting his protests
despite the sharp pounding Of the
presidents gavel.
JAPAN Is DEFEATED.
Japan suffered her Arst defeat
when the japanese delegation at-
tempted to obtain . rule that half
Of the chairman of committees he
chosen from outside Of Europe. The
proposal was rejected.
Over the objections Of Lord Robert
Cecil, representing south Africa. the
assembIy voted In favor Of secret
comnftter mcefings. e n n d,
France, and Italy supported secret
sessions.
The decision to hold COMMITTEES
meetings in secret shows that
practically all of the leagues work
will be done behind closed doors.
The assembly voted in favor of the
issuance Of brief communiQues to the
press.
The divergence of views Of the del
egations attending the meeting re-
garding the organization OF an inter
nj n - Nv,~ nd
tion made 1t appear extremely un-
likely today that the tribunal would
be functiOning among the great pow
ers for two or three years.
KEYSTONE OF LEAGUE.
This court was the one keystone
upon which the proponents of the
League of Nations had counted for
the perpetuation Of world peace. Of
ficials of the League and the secre-
tariat admitted with reluctance that
it seemed unlikely that any agree
ment would be reached during the
present meeting. 1t is understood
that their conclusions were founded
to some extent upon the absence OF
the United States.
A majority of the delegates prob
ably will vote through a plan for tho
organization of an international
court after several days debate for
the rejection of immaterial amend
ments, but the plan must receive tho
approval OF the various governments
before it can be put into effect.
Some of the delegations came to
Geneva with anne mendments which their
governments claim are necessary to
the successful functioning of tho
court 1t Is considered certain these
governments will hold aloof IL their
amendments are rejected in the hope
of gaining support for their conten-
tions at future meetings. Thus the
whole scheme for the creation of the
court would be delayed indefinitely.
LONG SESSION LOOMS.
II chickering's arise over trivial
points, and IL seems likely they will.
the present meeting may drag along
until Christmas.
Delay is being caused over the
translation of speeches and motions
from English to French and vice
versa Some of the delegates who
speak both French and English have
already engaged in disputes with the
official interpreters, claiming their re-
marks were misinterpreted.
1t begins to appear that the Jap
anese delegation will not press Its
resolution for racial equality as tho
result the COuntels OF DOWeiIUI
friends. When Baron Hyashi, head OF
the Japanese delegation, was asked II
he would bring the question before
the assembly, he expressed surprise
and said:
"I do not know anything about the
racial equality resolution that / am
reported to have brought to Geneva"
CALLS LEAGUE WEAK.
II do not think we will press the
question at this time" said another
member OF the Japanese delegation.
"The league IL weak enough ms II n
and we DO not want 10 do anything
which would lnture IL further,
Alfredo Costa. heRd OF the Portu-
guese delegation, intfr,nted that q
move would be made to amend the
League covenant to meet obiectioss
in the United states.
Unofficial conversations are pro-
ceeding which may result in the
eventual Amendments OF the covenant
to meet the American views" said
Senior Costa. T Z not sec how the
League can succcea unless the United
states II a member Of II. I believe
that we cap change the pact TO meet
American views without endsnsering
IT,
Paul Hymsns. Belgian foreign min
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