Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-11-16
tny Axsocia,ed Prcas.l

GENEVA. Nov. I5.-Paui Hymans
ot belgium. was elected president Of
the league OF nations by tho assembly
II ,hc league at rs first session here
'"hay. lie received 25 out OF Al votes
NJ. Ny-Inana is former Foreign
Minister OF Belgium and head Of the
ne!.:lna delegation IN the assembly OF
p, ieagu:.
When vi. Iiymans. who heads tho
Gs.iian delegation. and is a former
Foreign Minister of Belgium. de-
dared the first bess.on OF the asse embly
open, the hall was crowded with men
aud women. and there were severn!
women among the delegates. Their
tr!lettcs. with the quaint red and yell
low gowns OF the Swiss Guards, gave
touches Of color TO an otherwise aober
scene.
NJ. Mo;ta. in his greetings TO the
delegates. declared the world hoped for
economic reconstruction 10 grow out
OF tho asscmbly's debate. He sug-
G"sted the breaking up OF monopolies
n raw materials as q necessary step.
Hend. Wilson's Convocntion.
-. IIy'nnns, who presided over the
opening session. called ihe gathering
80 order by reading. President Will
sons convoca,ion. He declared that
;hc league. starting with forty-two
members. was certain OF its future.
iic declared Il would be most efrec-
i've "a tho agent for new era OF
International cooperation and har-
uiony.
Iiymans. in an address Immediate
~ following his election. declared
here was n possibility that the cove
ulnt would bo amended.
We do not pretend the covenant
ls perfect or that Il can't be i'm
tsoved," he declared.
Premier Motta, who welcome ed the
delngntee. received four votes for the
prtsidency; r. II. Ador,~ ~of England:
aud Leon Bourgeois. France. one
Zach.
Motta declared tho world would
roalize why the honor had been
Iwarded a Belgian.
The Swiss Premier declared he
wished most ardentiy' that the
United States will not longer delay
occupation OF her legitimate seat IN
this assembly"
Although there arc plainly evil
dent chasms and inevitable imperfec-
lions In the covenant" no said. "the
foundation will stand even II the first
work collapses."
Motta Thanks Conference.
Mntta thanked the peace conference
:or designating Geneva as the home
uf the league of nations.
The first session OF the league as
sonbly was greeted with the ringing
Of al tho bells in Geneva after sew
crai minutes silence on the part Of
.1
Branttng starts Debate.
The Socialist leader, Hjalmar Brant-
nag. head of the Swedish delegation,
ing to tho election OF Paul Hymans
ration. NJ IIymans himself decided
the question by holding. that since
ono member requested n secret vote,
he was entitled to II.
4 more animated and moro signifl-
cant discussion grow out OF the adop-
tion OF the agenda. Lord Robert Ce-
1il. who represents South Africa, held
that tho applications for membership
IT Albania. Bulgaria and Austria.
which were received since the agenda
Mas made up. should be added to 1t.
rhe assembly so decided after the
French delegates, NM. Viviani and
bourgeois had made it clear that tho
applications would be referred to n
committee to be examined and de-
cision taken as to whether they would
Dc received.
This reservation. It is contendcd,
will establish precedent, so that II
Germany'S application is received
later, tho French delegates will be
able at once to raiso the question Of
eligibility.
:. The working organization OF the
Continued on Tenth Pngc.)
Modern steamers. complete service
Islinioua meala Ynrk Iaiuar II.,a.