New-York tribune., 1920-11-14
League Meets
In Geneva; Al
Nations There
4ccntInusd from page sns}

swing the assembly one way or the
other.
1t would not be surprising If the
British Empire delegations were split
at the final vote, with the Australian
delegates voting separately against the
admission of Germany, although at the
moment the empire delegations are
working as unit.
Expect Test Vote Early
At an early session there will be a
test vote to show the influence of the
small states. Already it is plainly evi-
dent that the delegates are combining
IN various groups and that various al
liances are being formed within alli-
ances. Foremost, of course, is the
British Empire group, which includes
representatives of Great Britain. Can
ada, Australia, New Zealand. India and
South Africa. Next is the Scandinavian
alliance. in which are the delegates
from Norway, Sweden, Denmark. Hol-
land, Denmark, Switzerland, Czecho-
Slovakia and Finland.
Another division includes the men,
bers from France, Belgium, Poland and
possibly Italy, although the latter prob
ably will be in alliance with Great
britaln on most questions, as will also
China and Japan. The South American
states, acting with Spain, are specially
actlve. they seem to regard the league
as OF supreme Importance to their fu-
ture welfare
Just as Belfouf and II. A. L. Fisher
represent views differing ftom those
of Lord Robert Cecil and George Nicoll
Barnes in the British Empire group,
so the other groups are not always
unanimous in their decisions. But as a
rule the states in each of these al
liances may be expected to hold to-
gether. Hjalmar Branting, the Swcd-
ish Socialist, is the chief spokesman
for the Scandinavians. Leon Bourgeois
directs the French group. Foreign
Minister Pureyeredon of Argentina
directs the South American division.
Small Nations for Disarmament
The small nations intend to make a
light for an early reduction of arma-
ment, while the great powers will un-
ooubtedly try to contine the discussion
to academic questions, holding that
the time IS not ripe for disarmament
Norway. backed by other neutrals, will
argue for broadening the constitution
of the permanent court of justice SO
as to increase the obligation of the
nations in 3 dispute to resort to arbi-
!raton.
1t is planned to have Branting in~
-late the discussion of Germany, but
there is little probability of his rails
ing the question for several days.
Among the other important questions
to be taken up and debated by the
assembly are German reparations and
Russia's future. The latter will come
in for special attention when the as
sembly is called to vote on admitting
Esthonia, Latvia and Lithuania to the
League.
There is host Of Armenian repre-
sentatives here protesting against the
Turkish invasion of the< country and
loudly pleading for assistance. An in
teresting situation has arisen over
Armenia, with the French rather init
mating that they might consider tax
ing mandate, and the British sug-
gesting that the Frencf have about
enough to handle already. There is
bound to be considerable friction on
the question before the assembly comes
to decision.
Japanene Delegates Active
The japanese representatives are
prominent everywhere with their regi-
ment of advisers and experts. They
are preparing reports on a great vari-
ETY. of SUBJECTS and it is not impossible
that they will raise the radical uues-
tion, but not unless they are assured
in advance Of getting the sympathetic
support of number of nations.
The representatives of the powers
sitting iii the council are most anxious
to avoid heated controversies, but the
small countries are not afraid of lively
debates, especially as they are not
hampered by lot of embarrassing
treaties. If the league proves itself
to be a live body it will be because the
small nations have a real belief in its
practically.
GENEVA, Nov. 13 (By The Asso-
ciated Press). - The League of Ma
tions assembly meeting Monday, which
is regarded by the delegates as the real
beginning of the league. will open with
an address of welcome by the President
cf Switzerland. Routine work, organi-
zation and the report of the councll Of
the league probably will take up the
entire day, if not two days. An impor-
tant item Of the agenda. amendments
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