New-York tribune., 1920-11-17
Delegates Cling to Pol
;cy of Secret Sessions /;
Reject Cecil's Plea for
Admission of the Public
Tittoni and Viviani
Favor Compromise
Agreement Reached to Is
sue Minutes of Meet
ings as Soon as Possible
By Arthur S. Draper
,necin1 Cable to The Tribune


fo,vrght. 1920, New York Tribune Inc.
GENEVA, Nov. 16.-The League Of
Nations assembly to-day made a feint
.ow.rd diSposing of secrecy in its pro-
seedlings, but when lord Robert Cecil
nut up the definite proposal that the
meetings of commissions which will
handle all important questions should
be open to the public the delegates
baked.
Although each of the six commits
sions will consist Of one delegate from
Zach Of the forty-one states represented
Ia the assembly, it was finally decided
that the most that could be done in the
wsy of publicity would be to issue the
minutes of each meeting as soon as
possible.
Lord Robert made a powerful plea
10 set an example to get rid of what is
"sometimes, perhaps foolishly, called
secret diplomacy" contending that the
support of the world was needed and
that this could be obtained only by
taking the world into the league
confidence.
Sought to Destroy Records
The original suggestion which brought
on the debate was to the effect that
all the commissions should meet in
private and that no minutes of their
proceedings should be preserved. Lord
Robert proposed that full minutes be
to conferences Signor Tittoni of Italy
and Former Premier Niviani of France
opposed the admission of the public
although they agreed to the wisdom
Of giving publicity to the debates when
the reports of commissions are pre-
sented to the assembly. II. A. l.
Fisher, head Of the British delegation
supported Tittoni and Viviani, while
'hc NeY' Zealardcrs~ sided vit5 Lord
Robert.
The debate showed clearly that tho
time had not arrived when statesmen
Of the great powels were prepared te
depart entirely from the old methods
Of procedure, although they unques.
t'ona6ly were feeling the pressure fol
achange.
Ge-rge Nicoii Barnes, representative
OF british LABOR. who with Lord Robert
represents the advanced liberal wing ir
me assembly, also spoke in opposition
70 work behind closed doors and to dr.,
reports couched in business Language
mat mean nothing and that are giver
out atterward to the public.
Way TO Discussion Opened
Barnes, who is continuously at worl
lsmoving restrictions which may retarc
The league and developing the interra
eional spirit which he regards as cs
ehtlal to the work of the league
lhhaily succeeded in bringing the de
pate on publicity to close by provid
thg TOT accession TO the reports sub
ml'ted by commissions to the as
sembiy as soon as the report in q par
"cuiar case was complete. This wi!
opeh the way TO q debate.
Barnes made final effort to-day t
get permission for the assembly to q,
'ato secret session tomorrow to hay,
ulScusslon OF the question Of the ad
MISSION OF former enemy states to tn,
;sague. Niviani opposed this procedur,
"a an eloquent speech, which drew tn,
ats' real applause of the session.
Next to the matter of publicity tn,
most important development was ;
movement oil the part of non
european countries to get full rep
sssentatlon on the different com
missions, n.;M, particularly in the exec
Ss 1--we Offices: Members of the Indial
sssiegation pleaded that non European.
ss0u,d i, be elected presidents Of som.
III; ~ !he commissions. while Viscoun
'Sa''' former Ambassador at Washing
CONTINUED IN naoe thre.)