Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-02-21
COUNCIL WILL
TIGHTEN HOLD
ON WAR GAINS
League ENJOYS Convene in
Paris, Determined to Keep
Former Hun Territories.
OPEN DIPLOMACY ENDED

PARIS, Feb. 21-A firm determine
ton was apparent when the League
of Nations council met today to i'm
pose a stranglehold. on former Ger
man and Turkish territories, thus
preventing South American and Scan
dinavian neutrals from attempting
again to bring up the terms of allied
mandates when the league assembly
meets. again in September.
This was one OF two certain results
that was foretold when the representa-
tives assembled just before noon in the
salon of the Petit Luxembourg Palace.
The other was that "open diplomacy
would receive the cold shoulder.
The original order of the day provided
that the first business should be the ap-
pOlntment Of a committee TO examine
proposals for amendments to the league
covenant, virtually all Of which had been
suggested during the assembly meeting
In Geneva
Despite the program - OF business
President De Cunha OF the council said
there was a strong current Of feeling
among the delegates that the question OF
publicfty should be taken up first and
definitely settled. resolution on the
matter was before the council when 1t
met. having been introduced at the as
Eembly meeting in Geneva by Lord
Cecil, representative of South Africa
NO CHANCE FOR
PUBLIC MEETINGSf
canvass Of the council representa-
tfves showed there is not the slightest
disposition to hold public meetings OF
the council, except possibly stage dressed
affairs TO approve decisions reached Sc
cretlv. However, in Difference to the
delegates from the British dominion and
sentiment prevalent in the United States,
the council likely will adopt - scheme
whereby the formal cOmmunique viii be
augmented by Informal statements from
a member Of the council at the end or
each session. 1t would be his office to
answer discreetly the interrogations OF
the newspaper correspondents.
Drafts Of mandates, which In each
case will have been prepared by the in
terested mandatory power, probably VIII
be approved with little if any change, al
though DR.. Wellington koo' the youthful
Chinese ambassador TO Great Britain VINO
Is representing China on the council
said he was going to register some OBJ
jections against this procedure.
SIR ROBERT BORDEN ..-..-
TO HEAD COMMITTEE.
It is understood Sir Robert Borden,
delegate from Canada. has decided to &C
cept the craftsmanship of the cOmmittee
on proposed changes in the covenant.
These amendments include some that
we're put forward by Canada at Geneva,
notably one to kill article 10.
The other proposed amendments in
clude one sponsored by the Scandinavian
countries for the characterization Of the
league and one proposed By Argentina to
admit Germany to the league forthwith
and take control of the league out of the
hands Of the allies, giving this control
10 the "reorganized powers" Of the earth.
The refusal Of Fhe assembly TO consider
Argentina's amendments led to the with
drawal Of that nation from the league.
Numerous delegates were said to favor
the appointment Of Sir Robert Borden to
head the amendment committee on the
ground it would convince the United
States that the league is willing to ac-
eept important changes.
Discussions on disarmament blockade
and the status Of Armenia are likely to
result in important decisions later In the
week.
Germany was admitted to membership
IN the league technical organizations.
The council, at the opening Of its sit
ting. invited Germany to participate IN
sthe international conference at Barcelona
next month, thereby inaugurating the
policy Of admitting her to all technical
commissions, pending her actual admis-
sion to the league
Decisions largely concerned means of
admitting Germany and persuading the
United States to join the league