Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-12-02
4 ssociated Press.

.
Geneva, Dec. 2.-1n reporting touay
the decision of the league of nations
assembly committee on amendments
Ssthe league covenant not to recon-
and changes at this session, A. j.
&lfour. of Great Britain. forecast
The possible need Of important
changes in the future. The covenant
was, not regarded as perfect or mi
mutable, he said, and the eventual
ty must be at the next assembly be-
ing called upon to consider amend
rneats of far greater Importance than
those now proposed.
Ishe>covenant, Mr. Balfour pointed
out ,xMas framed with reulari>aaie rat
pidity, and doubtless amendments
would be necessary. but the commit
tee found the moment inopportune.
Because tho committee rejected the
amendments proposed by the Scandi-
na4ssn countries it was not to f'e
considered that 1t disagreed with
them.
.If you amend the covenant you
amend the treaty Of Versailles, which
gave seal to the peace Of the world"
he said. Another motive Of the COM
raitteea Mr.. Balfour explained, was
the conviction that one years exper-
ience in the working of covenant
was insufficient to show just what
amendments should be made, and the
committee deemed it advisable to
wait. He said commission, which
the committee recommended, to
study proposed amendments, could
report to the council of the leagne
which in turn would report to the
next meeting Of the assembly at Gs-
,,axa. The date of this he mentioned
as Sept, /, next.
nv referring the changes proposed
Anow to commission for study. Ar.
4 A.alfour thought the assembly could
Astabiish precedent Of great value
i IA the next assembly, which might be
|asked to make more important
4 chan ges Delegates Hagerup, of Nor
way. and DR.. Wurtemburs, Of Swe-
de,i, signified acceptance Of the de-
cision of the committee regarding
their propositions.
Gratitude Message to Wilson.
1oispatch of a solemn message of
gratitude to President Wilson for
tht. way he responded to the appeal
of the council Of the league Of ma
tions to act as mediator between the
Armenians and the Turkish national
ists was proposed to the assembly of
the league by Paul Hymans. its
president.
After, the opening ceremonies Mr..
Hymans announced SIr. Wilson's Of
fer to mediate in armenia, and read
the councils reply.
That body Informed Mr.. Wilson
that it is asking the Brazilian and
Spanish governments, which yester-
day also offered their services as
mtsdiators. to communicate direct
with washington regarding the
means Of action.
The reading of Mr.. Wilson's mes
sage drew hearty applause from the
sparcely filled house. A large pro-
rortion~of the delegates are suffer
: at the beginning of, today's session.
Text Of Reply to Wilson.
The text Of the reply made by thu
council to President Wilson'S accept.
arce Of the role Of mediator in thu
Armenian question, which was 6!is
patched to Washington this mornins
signed by President Hymans, of tn,
assembly, is as follows:
in the name of the council Of tn
league of nations 1 thank you fo
your telegram Of Dec. l. in which 70,
agree to act as mediator between tn,
Armenians and the Turkish nationa al
: lists, and add that you will nominate
representative for this purpose.
1.-The council is deeply rej6iced at
ard grateful for, your decision. rCh
council asks me to inform you tha
the Spanish government declares it
self ready to participate in the sup
ian government announced that II i
8 ready to take part alone or witt
others in putting an end to the pres
ent situation in Armenia. The co1n
ell Is therefore requesting these tw,
government to communicate directi,
with you as to how cooperation il
this work can be best arranged. Ne
gotiations can be opened immediat ell,
with the Armenian government a
EriWan.
'As regards the Kemalists fTurkisl
nstionalists) the council is takinl