The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-09

Special CGbls to THE NEyy YORK HEz,Lp.
Copyright. f92o, by THE Nrw YoRK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
London, Nov. \.
The meeting of the assembly OF the
League OF Nations will open in Geneva
November Is without Premier Lloyd
George of Great Britain. THE New
York HERALD correspondent here is
authoritatively informed that the Pre-
mier has decided not TO go to Geneva
at all unless something develops that
is more important than now seems
probable.
While the reason for this decision
! by Mr.. Lloyd George was not stated
explicitly the consensus is that 1t was
dictated by the manifest impossibiiity
of proceeding with the reform of the
League of Nations before some definite
| information is obtained regarding the
policy of the incoming Administration
! in Washington.
The correspondents informant was
particularly impressed with what Mr..
Harding said, especially with the
declaration America does not need
any meeting with foreign Powers to
tell us where we stand, to tell us what
our moral obligations are. We want
to meet with them. counsel with them.
know their thoughts and give them
ours, but we want TO give these things
in the freedom of America"
The comment upon this was: That is
exactly what we have been led TO ex-
pect.'
This British statesman was very Curl
Gus as TO whether the President-elect
meant that a new conference OF all the
Powers should be held in Washington
| or elsewhere in the United states in
order TO frame new world programme
| II il possible 10 reiterate from the
| same authoritative source that Great
/ Britain is ready 10 accept almost any
! kind OF an amendment to the League
! OF Nations but that she is unwilling
that the league be destroyed without
| the hope of constituting n substitute
| organization which will assure interna-
| tlonal cooperation TO prevent wars
Even Lord Robert Cecil. who is regarded
by many persons here as "the fanatical
|
this much last Saturday. when he de-
clared that Geneva had to discuss the
| question Of America.
1T IL question which cannot be
approached without great searching
! Of the heart as to whether we have done
our duty by that people" Lord Robert
said.
| Lord Robert is in favor Of admitting
Germany to membership in the league
and even to permit Russia 10 apply for
membership in Il, and on these points.
at least, he is backed up by general
! opinion OF the most responsible states
men here-an opinion which holds that
the league will be Of little use as long
| as it is not universal
We must have America in!' is the
| declaration on every hand.
! But that Is about as far as respon-
sble British statesmen go with Lord
| Robert in his fanaticai devotion to the
| Versailles covenant.
"Of course. we won't quarrel win
| America about names and terms" SAL.
a man Of responsible public position.
we have always recognized that the
| present covenant was the work OF
President Wilson and Lord Robert
Cecil, both OF whom are admirable
dreamers But / think our actions have
already demonstrated that we have
little faith In the practically OF suca
! A thing as Article X. thoroughly
| agree II Is wrong to make nations prom
| ise TO do something they can't perform.
Frankly, that was the case when the
l territorial integrity OF certain mem
berg. like Poland. was not only threat
ened but actually smashed. as it wa,
last YEAR"