The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-16
French Orator Defines His
Country's Attitude on Ad-
missions to Membership
Among the Nations.
HOPES AMERICA JOINS
Says U. S. Raised Standard
Of Right and Deserves
Magnificent Place Be-
cause of Its History.
FIERCELY ATTACKS REDS
AS to Germany, He Declares
She Is Defendant and Should
Put Herself Into the Posi-
tion of Being Received.
by LAURENCE HILLS.

by LAURENCE HILLS.
Copyright, 1920, by THE NEW YoRK HEaMD
GENEVA Dec. 15.-China was to-day
elected a member of the council Of the
League Of Nations, Austria was ad-
mitted to league membership, and to-
night the session of the assembly was
made notable by a remarkable speech
by Rene Viviani of France, who de-
fined the attitude of France toward
the league in general and the United
States and Germany in particular.
The speech. which was an eloquent
one, was frequently interrupted by ap-
plause from the delegates and from
spectators in the galleries. and it was
apparent sentiment was strongly with
NJ. Viviani in his objections to the en-
trance of Germany to the league.
M. Viviani's speech followed an adj
dress by President Giuseppe Motta Of
Switzerland, who pleaded for the
speedy admission OF the United States,
Germany and Russia to membership in
the league. At the mention of Ger
many by NJ. Motta. NJ. Viviani de-
manded that he be permitted to speak.
but NJ. NTotta went on to express the
hope that the league would let down
its bars somewhat and would not place
too strict an Interpretation on Ar
,icle !. of the covenant. Also, he said,
he had not agreed with the interpreta-
ton which the committee had placed
on Article ", limiting It merely to
violent aggressions from the outside.
Regarding the United States, NJ.
Motta went on to express the hope
that concessions could be made which
would still leave intact the basic es-
sentials of the league. but which would
hring in "the glorious American democ-
racy."
Agrees All should Come In.
~ Viviani, when he took the plat
arm. said he completely agreed with NJ.
1!o,ta that the league must unite all
ne nations and be universal. Regard
flg the three countries NJ. Motta had
mentioned he said:
rs It possible that the United States
sill not join the league? All will agree
hat the United States must join it. We
appeal to the United States. Also we
await her. 1t was not for nothing that
she entered the conflict. raising among
rs the standard of right. Who does not
desire America, which represents right
and force and law. to be here in the
magnificent place which Is due TO her
because OF her magnificent history?
Amid loud applause NJ. viviani be-
gan his attack against the Bolshevikl.
@ho. he said, have shown that they
despised the league.
we stand for democracy and against
tyranny. whether IL bs from above OF
below" he declared. I'VE represent free
states which wait for Russia 20 come
back to the great ideas OF democracy"
Then taking UP the question of Ger
manys admission TO the league, the
French leader continued:
What is tho attitude Of the league
toward her? We are the plaintiff; she Is
the defendant. It is not for us TO call
her. Jt is for her to put herself in
condition for being received. What mus,
Germany do? Article I. is the answer.
tentions are sincere, and she viii enter
the league only when she has given
effective guarantees Of these Intentions.
II is now two years since the arrnistice,
but we arc still waiting for these guar
antees.
we have no hate In our hearts. We
wait for justice. We did not provoke
this war. but went TO the frontier to
fight for the liberty OF the whole world
I'VE cannot admit State which has
not given guarantees. NJ Motta has
spoken of right and Justice I'm this mat
ter We are the ones who can talk OF
right and Justice for II tho free nations
~ the world had not stood together and
fought for liberty, you gentlemen would
not be hero tonight fighting with us for
humanity and Justice"
German Move stopped.
NJ. viviani's grafton, which was re-
ceived with wild applause both from the
galleries and the delegates. effectively
uuelled any movement towards the Inn
mediate admission OF Germany TO league
membership. NJ. Motta's speech. TO
which NJ. Vivianis grafton was Intended
az reply, was frank plea for the
admission of Germany. The fact that
the United States. Russia and Germany
are not members OF the league he said,
is significant Of the fact that there were
points not met by the covenant.
Il trust" he said, that in the next
few months some measures will be
found. some cancellations made some
concessions arrived at. in order that
these nations--particularly rhat opulent,
Sreat democracy. the United States
will become members Of the league
This was expressive of the universal