New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-09-06
II. A. Van Karnebeek. of
Holland, Elected Presi-
dent ON Second Bal
lot, Brazil Its Rival
Absence of South
Americans Puzzles
Theory Advanced That
Concerted Action Indi-
Gates Unsuspected Aim
By Wilbur Forrest
Special Cable to The Tribune

Copyright. 1921 New York Tribune Inc
GENEVA, Sept. 5.-The second as
sembly of the League of Nations
opened its sessions here to-day. DR.. v.
X. Wellington Koo, the dapper little
Chinese graduate of Columbia Univer-
sity, speaking perfect English, opened
the meeting in a speech in which he
noted the increased membership of the
society and declared shat the league
had now become established and a
necessary part of the universe.
DR.. Koo was temporary chairman by
virtue of his presidency Of the League
Council. He carefully avoided men
ton of the United States and the forth
coming Washington Conference for the
Limitation of Armaments. The league.
he declared, had grown not only in the
number of nations represented, but also
in spirit and influence, in which it was
becoming increasingly important
The election of the distinguished
Dutch statesman DR.. H. A. Van Karne-
beck as president of the League As
sembly this afternoon brought into
clear relief a test of factional strength
in the present meeting and emphasized
the fact that the South and Central
American nations are practically un-
represented at Geneva this year
Absentees Turned Election
Van Karnebeek was opposed for the
presidency by DR.. Gastoa da Cunha, of
Brazil, and won on the second ballot
by vote of Il to 10. The Latin re-
publics voted solidly for the Brazilian,
while those from countries in Europe
and Asia, including Great Britain and
all her dominions, Japan and China,
supported the Hollander. But for the
absence from the Assembly of Argen-
tina. Costa Rica, Guatemala, Hayti,
Honduras, Peru, Panama and San Sal
vador DR.. da Cunha surely would have
been elected.
No clear explanation of the Austen
ton Of the eight Latin American states
from attending the Assembly meeting
could be gained tonight from Gny
source in Geneva. The example set by
the United States in her continued
aloofness from European entangle-
ments and the approach Of the Wash
ington disarmament conference, with
its expected discussion of questions re-
lating to the Western hemisphere, were
believed, however, to be somehow
linked with the failure of the Latin
republics to fill the empty seats.
League officials were astounded at
the situation. Invitations sent out sew
eral weeks ago to all the abstainers are
Rica and Guatemala, and there is hope
that their delegates eventually will ar
rive here.
Explanations Not Conclusive
The possibility that the recently
established Central American confed-
Grafton includes pledge to abstain
from the League Of Nations until the
position of the United States is clear
and the Washington conference is end
ed seemed to be offset by the explana-
tion from league officials that most Of
the abstaining republics were until re-
Gently in communication with league
headquarters on various subjects and
gave no indications of any intention to
quit the organization.
While some Of the Latin-America
states play have been unable to stand
the heavy expense of sending delegates
to Europe, only the case of Argentina :; q
clear, as she is holding off as a result
Of the leagues refusal to amend Ar
ticle ] as requested last year. The ap-
pdISHtAy OVuCcICSU dCClOu vi Lne eIRnC
nations, however, caused real disquet-
ude among the League Of Nations en-
thusiasts and a feeling that something
else was in the wind
Holland Given Presidency
GENEVA, Sept. (By The Associated
Press DIR. Koo in his address insisted
that the League of Nations was not a
superstate. He paid tribute to DR..
George F. Hagerup, the deceased head
of the Norwegian delegation, to whom
of the Permanent Court of International
Justice.