The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1920-11-16
HYMANS NAMED
NATIONLEAGUE
CHIEF AT MEET
Former Premier of Belgium
Z Elected President With
s. Votes.
AERICA IS CHEERED
MSS Representative Crate
hui for Geneva Selection;
Sees u. S. Soon Member.
NERICA IS CHEERED

GENEVA, Nov. 15.-M. Paul -Hy-
mans. former Premier of Belgium
was elected president Of the league
of nations assembly today. He re-
eeived thirty-hve of the forty-two
votes.
Hymans, in an address immedi-
ateIy following his election, declar-
ed there was a possibility that the
covenant would be amended. we
do not pretend the covenant is per-
feet or that it can't be improved"
he declared.
Premier Motta, OF Switzerland
who welcomed the delegates, re-
ceived four votes for the presideney;
H. II. Ador. of England. and Leon
Bourgeois. France. one each.
kssMotta declared the world would
eaIize why the honor had been
farded a Belgian.
Wish U. =. Delay No Longer.
he Swiss premier declared he
ished most ardently that the
"a States will not longer delay
patton of her legitimate seat in
assembly"
Although there are plainly evf-
Mt chasm and inevitable imperfec-
DrY6ns in the covenant" he said. the
foundation will stand even if the
first work collapses.'
Motta thanked the peace confer
ence for designating Geneva as the
home of the league of nations.
Prolonged applause greeted first
mention of the United States
Washington is the home OF lib
erty and the United States cannot
long remain out of the league,
Premier Meta, of Switzerland. de-
clared. The opening session was
filled with enthusiasm.
Only One Woman Delegate.
Only one woman delegate presented
credentials. She was Mime. Wick
fell. of Sweden.
The credentials of Lord Robert
Cecile English delegate from South
Africa, were approved, but N. Tittoni
French representative on the cons
mission. insisted that the Question
should be studied and regulated for
the future. 1t was believed ruling
will be made that delegates must be
citizens of the country they rep
resent.
Hymans in his inaugural address
denied the league was in any way
a super state. threatening the SOW
ereignty of any nation.
Call Scheme aCIearing House,
1T is rather clearing house.
he said, designed to facilitate fire.
h.Nr fa.Uns
states with a development of un-
derstanding and sympathy"
The Swiss premier courteously
referred to the fact that Geneva
had been chosen over Brussels as
. the permanent seat of the league an6
linked it with a tribute to King
Albert The mention of the name
brought renewed applause.
Motta' declared the world hoped
for economic reconstruction to grow
out of the assembly's debate. He
suggested the breaking up of mo-
nopolies on raw materials as a
necessary step.
Wilson'S Message Read.
Hymans, Belgium, presided over
the opening session. He called the
gathering to order by reading Presi.
dent Wilson's convocation. He de-
clared that the league, starting
with forty-two members, was GER
tain of its future. He declared II
would be most effective as the agent
for new era of international CO.
operation and harmony.
The session today was occupied
with routine affairs. Following Che
convocation and welcoming ad-
dresses the credentials commission
was appointed and the delegates
adjourned.