The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-24
WON'T AMEND
COVENANT NOW
Desire to See What United
States Will Do, Motive
for Delay.
OBJECTS TO MEET KEMAL
Council Awaits Settlement of
AnglO-French Difference
Over Armenia.
OBJECTS TO MEET KEMAL
by LAURENCE HILLS.

Special Gable to THE New YORK Herald
Copyright, 1920, by THE New YORK HERALE-
GENEVA, Nov. 23.-A protest by Great
Britain, voiced by Arthur j. Balfour
against consideration at this assembly
meeting of any amendment to the
covenant has completely blocked the
movement engineered by the Scandi-
navian and other nations for impor-
tant changes in the League of Nations
pact. The committee appointed to take
up the proposal for amendments an
nounced to-day it would take no ac-
ton regarding any of them.
The encouragement produced in
Of irresolution and inaction on the
part Of one of the most important
committees (that on general organiza-
tion) was increased by the councils
continued inaction in the face OF the
resolution by Rene Viviani of the
French delegation for immediate ne
gotiations with Mustapha Kemal,
Turkish Nationalist leader, to save
Armenia. The council did not meet
to-day, but meanwhile reports per-
sisted that the British Foreign Office
had raised serious objections to any
such recognition of Mustapha Kemal.
Apparently the council does not de-
sire to meet until the row is straight
ened out.
France. according to NJ. vivianl.
would like to see the United States
chosen as intermediary
Meanwhile, regarding Armenia. the
assemblys special committee of six,
with Senator Henri La Fontane Of
Belgium as chairman, met and consd-
cred circularizing the nations to lind
out If any nation was ready with men
and money to rescue Armenia. Lord
Robert Cecil, representing the Union Of
South Africa, and Dr. Fritdjof Nansen
representing Norway both expressed
hope that the United States would re-
| ply favorably il an agreement could be
reached on the circular. but 1t is ap-
parent that a long deplay must ensue
before the Armenians are succored. IL
at all.
Mr.. Baifour's protest which resulted
in postponing all amendments was
raised on the ground that II was too
early to consider changes in the cove
nant and that is was best TO watch the
working OF the league a little longer
Unquestionably the motive back of this
was Great Britain's desire TO see what
the United States intends doing before
she determines her own attitude toward
any recastlng ot the original league
covenant Sweden. Denmark and Nor
way all raised vigorous objections in
committee, but the British protest
snuffed out their amendments. In the
absence Of the unanimity requirement.
however. the committee found Itself
quickly at the end OF it's labors and 40
reported to-day.
Some OF the smaller nations, feeling
severely the expense OF the league, are
raising a protest i'm committee regard
ing the salaries Of league officials and
against the organization OF the secre-
tarlat. The publicity secretaries, whose
duty Is chiefly to hand out documents,
receive In some cases AS much as E35O
a year. while some stenographers are
receiving fi.dv0 year.
Spain and Japan also are protesting
that not enough OF their nationals are
employed in the league organization, for
while seventeen nations are represented
in the secretariat a majority Of the
employees are British, French and Nor-
wegian.