The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-11-15
PRESIDENT WILSON AND
KING ALBERT CHEERED
ASLEACuE OPENS MEET
Swiss Premier Says q. 8
Cannot Long Remain
Out of Association.

ffeSSs )-Ms T&Ul ny WA0op WI
mer premier Of Belgium, was
elected president Of the League
Of Nations assembly today. He
received 35 Of the 4S votes.
N. Paul Hymans called the
gathering to order BY reading
President Wilson'S cOnvotatiea.
He declared TINT the league,
starting with A members, was
certain of its future. He de-
clared it will be most effective
M the agent for new era Of
international cooperation and
harmony.
Today's session was occupied
with routine affairs.
Prolonged applause greeted hrst
mention Of the United States at the
opening session OF the League OF
Nations assembly today.
Washington is the home Of lib
erty and the United States cannot
long remain out Of the league"
Premier Motta Of Switzerland de-
clared.
More than 100 delegates and tha
crowd Of spectators filled the great
Hall OF Reformation" with hand
clapping and cheers.
Cheer Wilson's Name.
President Wilson and King Al
bert drew a hearty tribute of ap-
plause when their names were NEIL
toned
Motta declared the world hoped
for economic reconstruction to
grow out of the assembly's debate.
He suggested the breaking up OF
mOnOpOlies on raw materials as q
necessary step.
Hymans, in an addreas immed-
lately following his election, de-
clared there was a possibility that
the covenant would be amended.
We do not pretend the covenant
is perfect or that it can't be i'm
| proved" he declared.
Motta declared the world would
realize why the honor had been
awarded a Belgian.
| The Swiss premier in his address
declared he wished most ardently
that the United States will not
longer delay occupation OF her
legitimate seat in this assembly.
although there are plainly evil
dent chasms and inevitable imper-
fections in the covenant" he said i,
the foundation will stand even IL
the first work collapses."
League Opens Meet.
Geneva, Nov. 15.-(Associatell
Press).-Determination to NEE. in-
tricate problems in world affairs
and 10 lay finally the foundation
stones of the League of Nations was
evident in the demeanor OF dole
gates of Al countries when they
convened here today for the frs.
session of the assembly of the
league.
| Although differences OF opinion
have already arisen relative TO the
. Danzig question, the makeup of tha
, commission on mandates. the pro-
lection of racial and religious mi
nOrities in Balkan states and the
admission of Germany to the
| league with some OF her former
! allies, there was today an evident
! disposition on the part of all tht
7 delegates to meet every situation
: with fairness and open minded en-.
! deavOr to reach decisions whicl
would be acceptable.
+ Men who have been long promi
4 nent in the arena of world politicl
e we're present when Paul Hymans
e temporary president and former
S Belgian foreign minister. appeared
q cn the platform Of the hall Of tht
0 reformation and called the meet!ni
To order. 4. J. Balfour. head O.
tie British delegation, was not abl,
TO be present. but there were in tht
hall a number of men whose name.
have become we'll known to tin
reading public during the last few
years. Among them were Tomasst
rittoni of Italy, Leon Bourgeois anc
Rene Viyiani Of France. viscoun
Kikujiro Ishii and Baron keishir,
Matsui OF Japan and Jose QuinOnei
de Leon OF Spain.
i South Africa was represented b.
Lord Robert Cecile. former British
assistant secretary OF state for for
eign affairs.
Lord Robert was one of the lead
q ing proponents OF the league dur
n inf the Versailles peace conference
;. but was not selected by Premie
\ Lloyd George. as one OF Great Bri,
Il aims representatives. The acton @
= the Union Of South Africa in nam
\ ing him 10 act In behalf Of tha
o British dominion will he one Of tn
:, most Interesting developments {
a the work preliminary to the mee'
+ ing OF the assembly
.Most Of the South and Centr,
American republics have full del,
y cations here for the session.
: American ~Obseryers.~
~ The United States was not repr
, sented officially at today's meetin
~ but throughout the session the
~ will be present American ''obsef
:. ers." who will keep informed ful
frneN}n~nI -. no.> $780,. =