The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-05
Immediate Revision OfCOve-
nant Is Demanded by
Small Nations for
Protection,
STRUCTURE is TOTTERING
Leon Bourgeois Admits Coun-
Gil Is ImpOtent to Use Eff
fective Weapons Against
Soviet Russia.
BY LAURENCE HILLS.

by LAURENCE HILLS.
Special Cable to TIE NEW YORK HERALD.
Copyright, 1890, by THE New YORK HERALD.
GENEVA, Dec 4.-This League of Ma
tions structure, produced largely by
President Wilson's own hands in
Paris, is tonight rocking on it's foun-
dations under the blasts which came
to-day from the two American conti-
nents.
sent to Paul Hymans, president of the
assembly. tonight. threw down the
challenge that unless her proposals
or changes in the covenant, including
the demand for the admission forth
with of all sovereign States, were
adopted at this meeting she would
withdraw from the league, her dele
ton headed by Honorio Pueyrredon,
her Foreign Minister having with
drawn to-day from the assembly
pending an answer to her challenge.
Canada. responsive to her big neigh
boris objections, as we'll as her own,
and dissatisfied with the hating policy
here toward changes in the covenant,
moved in the assembly to-day to cut
out the heart OF the covenant" Arti-
Gle X. here and now, as being con-
ceived in iniquity, unfair to the small
nations and n piece Of humbuggery,
TO use the words of Mr.. Charles j.
Doherty, Canadian Minister of Justice
49,
referred to the committee on amend
ments.
Protest Against Dominance.
Both demands spring from the same
general causes and have the same object.
namely, to obtain immediate revision OF
the Paris covenant as having been
framed by President Wilson and his big
Power associates without proper consid-
Grafton for the rights and interests OF
the smaller nations. They are made as
a protest against the control the big ma
tions have exercised here through the
unanlmity rule and their domination or
the council, to confine the assemblys
action to harmless discussions, and to
postpone changes and present decisions
IN all matters vital 20 their Interests.
dlsputing in the meantime the assem-
bly's power over the council
Canada stepped out beside Argentlna
to-day in asserting her Independence.
but Argentinas action appeared more
serious tonight. because she has al
ready withdrawn from the meeting here
and also because other South American
States may follow her IL she leaves the
league.
Thus the league at last stands totter-
Ing. Its weaknesses. pointed out first by
the American Senate. now demon
strated to the disgust of its members
In the very first experiments OF this
assembly.
Demands of Argentina.
Argentina and even Canada. are ad-
mltting that they. like America, have
nothing to lose. even II they are not
in this league. and insist upon changes
in the covenant Argentina taking up
her position now beside the United
States. These arc her demands:
!. That all sovereign States. notably
Germany. be admitted to league MEM
bership In such manner that II they do
not become members II will be by their
own action and not by that OF the
league.
Q That the states which nave not
been delmited be admitted in con-
sultative capacity.
3 That the international court be
given Immediately compulsory jurisdic-
ton.
T. That the council be democratized
through elections In a rotary manner
which will give each State membership.
In the council inside OF thirty years.
In the note sent to President Hymans.
Argentina says the obtaining OF amend
ments to the covenant was the chief
purpose for which she sent a delega-
tion here. Argentina not having been
consulted IN the formation OF the pact.
The note. which was signed by Senior
Pueyrredon. said that tho action taken
on amendments and rules demonstrated
the futility OF the Argentine hopes. and
"in consequence and in accord with in
structlons from my Government I have
the honor to inform the president OF the
assembly. and through him the assem-
bly,. that the Argentine delegation con-
siders its mission terminated"
Does Argentina withdraw from tho
leaFueg" Senior Pueyrredon was asked
tonight
you can gather your own conclu-
sions." he replied They have tried 10
build the top Of the house before they
build the basement
situation IN Feverish.
The situation here tonight resembles