New-York tribune., 1920-02-13
League to Name
) Men to Rule
In Saar Valley
Commission With. French
Chairman Will Govern
Under Wide Powers i'm
Former German Holdings
Swiss Win Savoy Dispute
Decisions To Be Announced
To-day Also Cover Protec-
ton of Polish Minority
By Arthur S. Draper

From The Tr'bnne's European Bureau
Copyright 1920. New York Tribune Inc. !,
LONDON. Feb. 12-Although the
league of nations is only little more
than a month old-the first meeting of
the council was held on January 10 in
Paris-its record of accomplishment
IS considered remarkable.
am able to give in detail report
OF the decisions reached bv the council
members at their executive sessions.
However satisfactory their progress
may seem to supporters of the leaguc,
there is unanimous regret that Amer
ica has been absent thus far in the
deliberations of the council. When the
proceedings have been laid bare. Amer
leans may appreciate why Europeans
miss their cooperation. When the
council announces tomorrow the de-
cisions it has reached. it probably will
say:
l. Switzerland has been admitted to
the league of nations. The question OF
participation can come before her peo-
pie IN the form OF referendum in
March. The Swiss position has been
considered unique An exception was
made IN this case in Article ass of the
peace treaty, which provides for re-
vision of the treaties which made her
guarantor OF peace in Savoy. Article
u OF the treaty, which protects regional
understandings like the Monroe Doc.
irlne, has also been interpreted in favor
OF Switzerland in the Savoy case.
Board to Govern Saar Valley
= The council will appoint q govern
ing commission with five members IN
control the Saar Valley This commits.
sion will have the widest powers. in
Guiding the operation of all public
utilities. Jurisdiction over civil and
CRIMINAL courts, the fixing of taxes and
dues and the appointment of local Of
hcials Ihe commission is really
cabinet, with a chairman selected by
1Ae councii 70 act as chief executive.
II is prooabie that Frenchman who
has served in the state administrators
and who is familiar with the countries
procedure will be named chairman
The other members will be Scandina-
wan. German. Belgian. Briton
and representative of the British Do !
minions. If the United States had been
participating in the decisions of the !
league an American would have been
asked to serve as chairman of this
commission. '''
3: SIR Reginald Tower, who has been
acting as the provisional representative
at Danzlg, viii De named as permanept /
hlgh commissioner of the league-a DO
siiloh o. power equal almost to that of
a coIonla! governor in the British Em-
pire. A1'''-
a. Lord Phillimor, a member Of the
Prlvy Council, probably will be annoin4.
ed chairman of commission Of ton
emlIent jlrists who will be asked to |
draft constitution for permanent
: court OF Justice. The other members
wii include NJ Vesnitch, the Serbian /,
Minister IN Paris; NJ. Fromageot. he
leading French legal authority at the
peace conference; AS well as a Spaniard
Dane, Swiss, q Hollander, an Italian
and others. At present conference
IS ,oelng held at The Hague, where con-
slaeratlon is being given to drafts sub
ml'ted by Sweden, Holland and Swift
zefiand Both the Germans and Aus
'tlans nave sent IN their suggestions on
.ns formation OF tribunal. All will be
turned over to the commission.
To Protect Polish Minorit;es
o. Inc council will announce that il
10 prepared to guarantee the Polish
Inihorltles III referred to in Article ~ of
e the treaty which the Allies made with
roland and confirmed in the letter from
TTiemenceau to Paderewski last June.
ms protects all minorities, whether
'.cu OH racial, religious or lin
suisuc basis. Thus, the Jews of Po-
the league VI
.. The commission Of inquiry on COM
muhicatlon and transit, which was an
pointed last year in Paris, will be
asked to draft a plan for handling
ma International waterways and land lanes.
men permanent international com
mission will be named. Action which
1sa %ds mucn similar was taken at the
a'Dua = sr..'I conference in Washington when
q siiaii committee, with Albert Thomas
a' as It's secretary, was formed to handle
'''e 'aoor a., end of the league of nations
,r;o :, me governments of all the coun-
.aies and the Red Cross will be asked
so, w name a delegate to an international
ron ,sn'l0h where plan will be drafted
~ nanoilng international health prob