Evening star., 1920-11-24
MEEI|NC|NG GENEVA
AN OBJECT LESSON,
VIEW OF SENATORS
British Covenant Change Pro-
test Expected to Focus
Attention on U. S.
FOES OF LEAGUE LIKELY
TO HOLD 1T HAS FAILED
Optimistic Forecast Prevails That
Eventual Association of Ma
tions Will Be Result.
I;y \. O. MESSENGER.

Ey y. o. MESSENGER.
Senators who are in town for the
approaching session of Congress were
dctnly Interested today in the latest
development of the meeting of the
league of nations in Geneva-the pro-
test of Great Britain against pro-
posed changes in the covenant lodged
by Arthur J. Balfour. Objection was
raised. the dispatches state. on the
ground that the league must mark
time, pending disclosure of the atti-
tude of the United States toward a
league of nations which this country
may join.
The effect of Great Britain's action.
ii is held here. will be to arrest the
functIoning of the present session of
the league and to focus the attention
of the world upon Washington. re-
gret,able inevitablity of suspended
operation of the leagues activity will
b to postpoue contemplated cooper :
alton toward settlement of disturbed
economic conditions in Europe-one
OF the main objects of the meeting.
Also, there must of necessity follow
cessation of immediate efforts to re-
duce armaments for the future.
Result an Object Lesson.
AS the situation rs analyzed here.
the net result of the meeting of the
league promises to be this: An object
lesson proving that there is a league
of nations in existence, ready to deal
with the great questions for whose
solving il was created, but unable to
accomplish practical results without
the assistance of the United States.
Two views will be taken of this in
the Senate and by the country, 1t is
declared; the proponents of league
of nations will urge it as a powerful
argument in behalf of the United
States outlining course which will
lead to perfecting a league. Oppon-
ents will claim that the Geneva ses-
sion proves the futility of the project
and serves as a further warning of
the United States to hold aloof.
The prevailing judgment in sena-
torial and political circles seems to
be that the OPPONENTS will fail in
the end and that the optimistic view
of an eventual association OF nations
is the majority opinion ncW ana VIII
finally prevail. At any rate3-4H the
current and prespectiye deyelot1esnts
are working steadily In the dSfe0S~0'
of establishing some concurrence OF
world action to conserve peace.
Acted Under Mandate.
In support of this contention 1t is
pointed out that the first Official an
nounceent Of the President-elect was
of his intention to take up, with the
best minds of the country before
March the subject Of a league of
definite program. has stipulated the
date Of commencing the conference.
and has intimated several men who
will first be called.
In doing that President-elect Hard
ing acted under the mandate of the
republican national convention which
nominated him and declared the
platform upon which he was elected.
A distinct announcement of policy and
/ an unequivocal promise to carry it
out were made in that platform. as
follows:
The republican party stands for
agreement among the nations to pre-
serve the peace of the world.
And we pledge the coming repub-
lican administration to such agree
ment with the other nations of the
world as shall meet the full duty OF
America to civilization and human
ity. in accordance with American
ideals and without surrendering the
ercise it's Judgment and it's power
in favor of justice and peace"
The friends of the general idea OF
an association of nations to keep
down wars will not permit the in
coming administration and the new
senators to get away from that
solemn declaration of the party in
national convention assembled. There
is no indication that President elect
Harding wants to be oblivious to 1t,
although there is every evidence that
he is powerfully disturbed in mind
as to how the policy is to be carried
out and the form in which the promise
is TO be redeemed.
Stress ON Secretary Of state.
Stress continues to be laid by poll
ticians upon the selection Of a Secre-
tary of State as indicative of the
President-elect's disposition toward
the scope Of a league. Senator's think
this is being overplayed. as they call
attention to the fact that it will be
the Senate which settles the league
or nations issue, and not the Secre-
tary of State, nor even the President.
As straw showing how the wind
sets with the President -eIect, his an
nouncement of his selection of the
Secretary of State may be intere st :
ing, they say. and that is all
II he chooses EIihu Root the poli-
ticians Will deduce that he favors a
broad and comprehensive league of
nations: II Phiiander C. Knox. that
he leans toward a more restricted
participation in the league Efforts of
some middle-course men now are he :
ing directed 10 working up q senti
nent for the naming Of Charles y.
Hughes
Every trustworthy intimation Of the
attitude of the President elect is thai
be ~ desirous of keeping peace he
tween the irreGonciiable and the pro
league senator's