The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1920-11-18
HYMANS ELECTED
To HEAD LEAGUE:
BeIuian Is Selected President by
Vote of 35 to 6.
U. S. OBSERVERS PRESENT
Washington to Be Kept Informed OF
Developments - Many WorId-Fa-
nous Men Present at the
Opening Session.

| btlCNds NOV, lO'--l uul llN mans "
Belgium was elected president of the
League of Nations at the first meeting
Of the assembly of the league, which
| convened here. He received 30 of the
Al votes of the nations represented.
NJ Hymans was temporary president
and former foreign minister of Bel
GUM.
Just before the opening hour pro-
cesson made up of Swiss officials
marched from the city hall to the Hall
of the Reformation, where the Eele-
gates were assembling for the session.
| The paraders marched through streets
bedecked with the flags of virtually
all the nations Of the world, with the
exception of Germany, Austria and
Turkey. Never before in the history
of the world, it is believed, had the
flags of so many nations flown to-
gether.
Only a few American flags were
noted among the colOrs displayed. The
Swiss national and cantonal ensigns
predominated in the decoration.
Delegates Face Big Problems.
Determination to meet intricate
problems in world affairs and to lay
firmly the foundation stones of the
League of Nations was evident in the
demeanor of the delegates.
Although differences of opinion have
already 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 of Ger
many to the league with some of the
former allies, there was an evident
disposition on the part of all the dele
gates to meet every situation with
fairness and open mind.
Men who have been long prominent
in the arena of world politics were
present when NJ. Hymans appeared
on the platform and called the meet
ing to order A. j. Balfour head Of
the British delegation, was not able to
be present, but there were in the hall
several men whose names have be-
come we'll known to the reading pub
lie during the last few years.
Among them were Tomasso Tittoni
of Italy, Leon Bourgeois and Rene
Viviani of France, NiscOunt Kikujiro
Ishii and Baron Keshiro Matsui of
Japan and Jose Quinones de Leon Of
Spain.
South Africa was represented by
Lord Robert Cecil, former British as
sistant secretary of state for foreign
affairs.
Leading League Advocate.
Lord Robert was one of the leading
proponents of the league during the
Versailles peace conference, but was
not selected by Premier Lloyd George
as one of Great Britain's representa-
tIves. The action of the Union of
South Africa in naming him TO act in
behalf of that British dominion was
one of the most interesting develop
ments of the wor% preliminary to the
meeting of the assembly.
Most of the South and Central
American republics have full delega-
tons here for the session, among
whom were HonoriO PueyrredOn of
Argentina, Dr. Caste Da Cunha of
Brazil, Antonio IIGneus of Chile, Man
uel Peralta of Costa Rica, DR. Carlos
Urueta of Colombia, Aristdes AguerO
of Cuba. HarmOndiO AriaS of Panama,
DIR. Mariana II. Cornejo Of Peru DR..
Juan Carlos BlancO Of Uruguay and
DR.. ArtUro r. Ayila Of Salvador.
The United States was not repre-
scented officially, but throughout the
session there will be present American
observers" who will keep Washing
ton informed of developments.
At a meeting of the council Of the
league Sunday arrangements were
made for the United States to have a
representative on the financial COM
mission, as well as on the commission
of economics and mandates, should it
so desire.
Honduras and Ecuador are the only
| other American nations that did not
send delegates to the meeting of the
assembly.