The New York herald., 1921-09-21
BALKAN WAR JOLTS
LEAGUE OF NATIONS
AS IT TALKS PEACE
Serbian Artillery Opens on
Albanian Village and Pro-
test Is Sent Immediate
ly to Geneva.
LORD CECIL ALARMED
Sees World Peace Threat
ened and Makes Address
That Is Looked Upon as
Appeal to Powers.
ADDS TO WILMA PROBLEM
Each Belligerent a Member Of
League-Serbian Officer
Says No Boundary Has
Ever Been Set.
ADDS TO WILMA PROBLEM

Special Cable TO THE New York HERALD.
Copyright, 1891, by The NEW YORK HrRALD.
GENEVA, Sept. 20.--War burst upon
the League of Nations to-day and
spread CONSERVATION among the COW
enanters. While the special commits
sion of the assembly entrusted with
the conservation OF peace was actually
in session this afternoon a telegram
artillery last Sunday bombarded the
Albanian village OF Arras and other
frontier villages, fractursng the league
covenant and especially Articles x.
to XVI.
Both Serbia and Albania, being mem
bers of the league, the situation was
deemed SO serious that the political
committee was unable to compose it
self to-day and decided to meet to-mor-
row afternoon.
The assembly already has on it's
hands the Polish-L Lithuanian dispute
concerning wilma, which the council
failed to settle amicably and to-day
referred to the assembly. thus for the
first time recognizing the joint juris-
diction Of assembly and council in dis
putes OF this nature. The assembly
now is asked by Albania to help pun
ish Serbia for proceeding to deal with
the old Balkan dispute as il the cove
nant had never been framed.
Depression Caused IN Geneva.
Whatever may be the outcome OF
the situation In the Balkans the fact
that the Serbs have taken matters into
their own hands in so far as Albania is
concerned has caused depression here
and accumulated the truthfulness Of
the statement that Europe is still be-
set by fostering racial antagonisms
despite the pretences of the league.
Indeed, some league delegates think
the covenant has not effected the
slightest change in the methods OF
some of the members, especially when
they are sufficiently provoked.
The sentiment OF the delegates seems
10 be all with Albania. just as 1t Is
against Poland in the latter's dispute
with Lithuania. This was shown when
the Serbian delegates here attacked the
Albanlans before the assembly last
week, when the rebuke administered by
Arthur J. Balfour OF Great Britain to
the Serbian speaker evoked applause.
Not needing this demonstration. Ser
ba. falling to get Albania 10 deliver to
her the towns along the frontier which
the Serbs claim. has resorted TO the old
and quicker method of getting them
That Is to say. she got her artillery into
action. instead of invoking the league
covenant All this has created feeling
Of great disappointment here.
Feer Invasion of Albania.
Serbia, according TO tho announce
ment made by Albania here this after
noon, on last Saturday delivered an
ultimatum, expiring in twenty-four
hours calling on the Albanians to
evacuate Arras and five other villages
In a frontier area seven miles by fif-
teen miles and which is regarded by
the Albanians of great stragetic impor-
lance. The Albanians delivered this
telegram to the league to-day. insisting
that the Serbs aim to bring about an
invasion of Albania.
This action was followed by Bishop
Theopilan NolI. Albanian delegate, rush
ing into the political committee meet
ing this afternoon, where Lord Robert
Cecil. delegate for the Union OF South
Africa. was gravely debating the cove
nant. Bishop Noli read the following
message
SERBIAN artillery commenced bonn
harding villages and other positions on
cur frontier We have protested tele-
graphically TO Ministers OF the big Pow
.rs and Lae League of Nations against
this aggression, asking them to Intervene
10 prevent an effusion of blood and TO
prevent n repetition OF events In the
future which would gravely trouble the
peace of the Balkans"
After reading this despatch Bishop
Noll. who was graduated from Harvard
University. asked dramatically:
Gentlemen. aren't you going to stop
this war;"
Protest by Serbian.
whereat M. spaiaikovitch. Serbian
delegate. protested, saying:
Until now you have heard only bells
of thankfulness, but now we will take
care that you hear the bells of Bel
grade
The Serb asserted that so far only one
side OF the story had been told. but that
now the Belgrade Government, feeling
there was no longer any necessity for
silence, would be heard from.
You viii hear what Albania is doing
to disturb our peace" he continued
You say you do not want any frontier
lighting In Europe. but YOU have never
laid down any frontier"
Lord Robert Cecil was visibiy moved.
He said the Serbian reply could not be
accepted by the league for the sake OF
world peace that Albania had brought
up a question which threatened the
peace OF the world
1T essentially concerns the peace OF
the world that the Albanian question
Continued on Fourth Page.