Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-12-23
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Adjournment of the Assembly

Adjournment of the Assembly
Two years ago an event like the final
adjournment Of the Assembly of the
Leagne of Nations which has been sit
ting at Geneva during the past five
weeks would have been regarded as Of
overwhelming world wide interest and
importance. To-day It creates scarcely
a ripple on the International seas.
The assembly adjourned Saturday night
for q recess which will extend until the
FIRST Monday in September. 1921. During
the eight months which >-ill elapse many
things may happen. 1t IL rot impossible
that tho session jus. ended may be one
that viii, ever be held. It easily happens
that the association of nations which
President elect Harding Is said to have
ia mind will succeed the present league
and cause the Wilson body to fail into
what another 2hra e-n,akins democratic
executive In the person of Grover Cieve-
Ian. pictured a. II condition of '''rnoci,-
Gus desuetude." o. ir modern - '.'"i-
canese. harmless itsusc
The President OF the Swiss republic.
| which as hos; has n lively anticipation OF
! other League oc Nation profits to come.
stated in his consratu,atory spesch at
tho closing session that the work done
had made the assembly and the league e.
Giving working organization" Whether
the wish incubated the thought remains
to be seen.
Candor compels the statement that tho
assembly did not show that It was not
the mere debating society it was pictured
b. some Of the participants in the late
presidential campaign. Its greatest
achievement was permanent court of
international justice. The admission of
former enemy and neutral states was an
other victory. 1t also took steps to stop
exploitations of mandatory territories.
On the other hand there was a con-
slant struggle between the assembly and
the council as to which should be the
controlling body of the league. and the
|
powers won. The smaller powers whlc.
champion the cause Of the assembly as
the large and more popular and more
democratic body lost out. To this ex.
tent the victory OF the council was
against the perpetuity and strength Of
the league. If there was any hope 10,
| ho loQU 11a In in ba nf ~
promotion Of world democracy ant
equality.
According to the Geneva correspond
ents the council emerges from the con
troverses Of the past Ave weeks as the
dominating power in the league in every
thing except the admission of members
the appropriation OF money, and tn,
passing of resolutions with teeth in them
That against exploitation illustrates tn,
situation.
Significantly enough when the assem-
bly, passed it's resolution that power
holding territory should not exploit then
or raise soldiers therefrom. former Pre-
mier Balfour of England rose and de
clared that the British propose to re
tain entire freedom of action in this re
spect as a member of the council re
CARELESS of what the assembly did to -da
or might do any other day.
That Is precisely the territorial attitud
which America was asked TO help guar
antee, bubble as one may regarding til
plain meaning OF the English language II
Article X. Britain's defiance Of worl,
sentiment for international justice an
real democracy has done more to shak
the foundations of the League of Ma
lions than almost any other half doze
Influences combined. What the outcom
will be remains 10 be seen during tn
coming six months