Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1920-02-18
NATIONS LEAGUE
COUNCIL OPENS
u, S. Missed by the Seven Other
Nations.
BALFoUR OCCUPIES CHAIR
Belgium, Brazil, Great Britain, France
Greece, Italy, Japan and Spain
Are Represented at the Open
ing Session.

London, Feb. 12.-The council of the
League of Nations formally opened its
meeting here. Arthur J. Balfour, rep
resenting Great Britain, assumed the
chair on the suggestion of Leon Bour-
geo1s, representative of France.
In his speech of welcome to the
delegates Mr.. Balfour said there was
only one blot on the meeting. and that
was that there were eight nations rep
resented instead of nine He said
that It was not desirable to touch on
the absence of the United States, but
he referred to it as marring the SYM
metry of the original plan Of the
league
M. Bourgeois, in reply, added word
of regret that the nations represented
were only eight in number.
BaIfour Voices Disappointment.
"As | myself was one of the plenipo-
tentiaries at Versailles. | am sure no.
body | am now addressing and none
of my friends in America viii think
! am doing wrong in expressing my
at all events we have not reached our
complete number" said Mr.. Balfour in
his reference to the lack of Ameri-
can representation in the council at
the present time.
He expressed the opinion th&t the
members of the council would be able
to do useful work, and that an institu-
ton (which carries within itself so
many promises for the future may do
something toward the cOnsummation
which all desire"
The council met in the historic pic
ture gallery Of St James palace, which
was built by Henry VIII.
Immediately below his portrait a
large table was placed for the accom-
mediation of the members of the coun-
Gil.
The remainder Of the galers was
apportioned for the 100 invited guests,
including all the ambassadors and
ministers of the allied> associated and
neutral powers. other distinguished
public men and the press.
The nations represented at the meet
ing were Belgium. Brazil, Great Brit
ain. France. Greece, Italy, Japan and
Spain.
Won't BE Told to Attend.
Washington, Feb. 12.-AmbassadOr
Davis at London will not be instructed
to attend the meetings of the allied
premiers and the council of the League
of Nations, it was said at the state de-
partment.
These meetings have been trans
ferred from Paris and will be held in
London until settlement of the exact
status of Switzerland in it's relation
TO the league makes it possible again
to consider Geneva as meeting place.
Ambassador Wallace attended the
meetings of the supreme council at
Paris during the discussion of the FL
ume question and others remaining I'M
settled. but his functions were strict
lv limited to those of an observer and
reporter. Many questions of interest
to the United States are to be decided
by the league council, but since this
country has not yet become a member
of the league it will not be represent
ed even informally in the councils ses-
sions.
Financial Interests at Stake.
Because of the extensive American
interests. financial and commercial,
which will be affected by the work of
the reparatiOns commission operating
under the league council, the state de-
partment will keep itself informed as
to events at London. The council is
expected at it's early meetings 20 frame
policies which will govern the admis-
sion of raw material into the late en-
envy countries and the distribution of
German and Austrian products among
the entente and associated powers.
AS the international supreme court.
which is to be created under the terms
of the treaty, is a purely American con-
ception and so far has developed no
opposition from any of the factions
in the senate, it is expected that some
soundings will be made by the coun-
Gil to ascertain the desires of the
Washington government regarding the
membership in this body.