The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-11-15
Al COUTRIES
REPRESENTED
AT Opening Session of
League of Nations in
Geneva
ABSENCE OF u. S.
SEVERELY FELT
Several Weighty Problems
Have Already
Arisen


meet intricate problems in world at
fairs and to lay firmly the founda-
tion stones of the league of nations
was evident in the demeanor of dele
gates of Al countries when they con-
vened here to-day for the first session
of the assembly of the leagus. AL
though differences of opinion have all
ready arisen relative to the Danzig
question, the makeup of the commits
sion on mandates, the protection Of
racial and religious minorities in Bal
kan states and the admission TO the
league of Germany. and some of her
former allies, there was to-day an evil
dent disposition on the part of all the
delegates to meet every situation with
fairness and open mind and to en-
deayor to reach decisions which would
be acceptable.
Men who have long been prominent
in the arena of world politics were
present when Paul Hymans, temporary
president and former Belgian foreign
minister, appeared ON the platform of
the hall of the reformation and called
the meeting to order A. J. Balfour,
head Of the British delega tion. was
unable 10 be present, but there were
in the hall number OF men whose
names have become we'll known to the
reading public during the ,last few
years. Among them were Tomasso
Tittoni of Italy, Leon Bourgeois and
Rene Siyian of France, Sir Robert
Borden of Canada. viscount Kikujifo
Il II usE s.f
Japan, and Jose Quinones de Leon of
Spain. South Africa was represented
by Lord Robert Cecil, former Brit
ish assistant secretary of state for for
eign affairs.
Lord Robert was one of the leading
protagonists of the league during the
Versailles peace conference, but was
not selected by Premier Lloyd George
as one of Great Britain's representa-
tiYes. The action Of the union of South
Africa in naming him as its repre-
sentative was one of the most interest
ing developments of the work prelimi-
nary to the meeting of the assembly.
Most Of the south and central Amer
lean republics have full delegations
here for the session.
U. S. Not Officially Represented
The United States was. not repre-
sented officially at to-day's meeting,
be present American observers who
will keep Washington fully informed
of developments. At meeting Of the
council OF the league yesterday, ar
rangements were made for the United
States to have representative on the
financial commission as well as on the
commissions on economics and man
dates. should she so desire Honduras
and Ecuador are the only other Ameri.
can nations which did not send dele.
gates to the meeting of the assembly.
Election OF a permanent president
and several vice presidents, and the ap.
pointment of few committees were
the first work 10 be disposed OF by the
assembly. II is believed the next 10
days will be devoted TO discussions on
the agenda of the meeting and during
this time commissions will be at work
on different questions before the as.
sembly. II is probable reports from
these commissions will not be ready
for representation for fort night. The
task Of framing recommendations will
then be taken up. and il is believed ad
iournment will not be taken for three
or four weeks.
A definite system of disarmament
and plan for using the economic
blockade against nations which trans
gress the orders of the league will he
among the principal subjects discussed.
In addition, the plan for an interna-
tional court which was framed at
BRUSSELS during last summer will re-
eeive attention. Japan is not expected
20 bring proposals on racial equality
before the meeting. bta she is expected
to take a prominent part in the delib.
erstions.
The result of the presidential elec-
fion in the United States has been a
topic Of conversation among delegates
here. but there has been no indication
that any effort has been made 10 get
in touch with either Washington 'or
Senator Harding. The Russian situs-
tion NAV be one of the topics brought
before the meeting as a result of the
defeat of General wrange.'s forces, and
il seems that recognition Of the soviet
government will be discussed at least
informally.
Subjects to come before the assem-
blv AT the instance Of individual mem
Der nations include several proposed
amendments 20 the covenant, some Of
which aim AZ improving the position Of
the smaller nations within the league,
while one submitted by Holland deals
with the covenant provision for sup
preston Of the opium traffic in the far