New-York tribune., 1921-09-17
Cecil Demands
LeagueConduct
Open Sessions
Assails Secret Methods of
Council and Alleged Con-
tempt Shown Delegates
of the Smaller Nations
Wants Press Admitted
Launches Campaign for
Publicity by Means of
Worldwide Propaganda
Special Gable to The Tribune
Copyright. 1921. New York Tribune INC.

Copyright. 1921. New York Tribune Inc.
GENEVA, Sept. 16.-The campaign
of publicity by which the League of
Nations will seek to popularize itself
by worldwide propaganda, as we'll as
by opening all it's activities to public
opinion, was launched to-day by Lord
Robert Cecil, of England, in a docu-
ment in which he severely criticized
the secret methods of the League
Council and outlined various reforms
which he believed would stimulate pub
lie opinion in the interests of the
league.
The document is significant because
it represents the opinion of The great
majority Of the delegates from the
smaller nations, and doubtless will be
the basis of a formal resolution be-
fore the end Of the present meeting.
Lord Robert demands that all meet
ings of the Council, in which are found
representatives Of the great powers
who control the league, should be
, opened to the press of the world in
stead of compelling writer's to SIT in
/ the corridor and wait for the "cold, un-
/ interesting official .communiques,"
Assails Withholding of Records
Lord Roberts main attack on those
dominating the power Of the league,
however, is based on the contempt they
have shown for their smaller brethren
by, withholding the records of their
proceedings, sometimes for two or
three weeks, instead Of announcing
matters of public interest on the fol-
lowing day. On important questions of
policy he demands that the Council
make public in interesting form the
main lines on which it is working.
There have been many occasions,
said Lord Robert, when the Council
could have strengthened it's position
even if it had done no more than make
n human statement of the difficulties
it was facing The speaker likewise
suggested that the league secretariat
employ greater force, whose members
would concentrate on keeping in touch
with journalists and worldwide public
opinion. He suggested wider dis
tribution of the leagues monthly sum-
mary, WnlCn' diteaOy IS printed In
French, English, German, Italian, Span
ish and Japanese and distributed to
the nations in which those tongues
arc spoken.
Fuller Reports Urged
For general publicity purposes, he
exhorts all national delegations now
in Geneva to make full reports to their
parliaments and peoples after the As
sembly meeting comes to an end, show
ing what the league has done and ap-
pealing to each country from its own
national point of view.
The foreign Offices Of all nations in
the league are urged to become dis
tributng centers Of information for
the press on league activities, while
the press should be urged always to
give greater space to the league and
send its best representatives to the
league conferences.
Finally" says Lord Robert, "ths.
various league associations must keen
in close touch with the central organ
ization at Geneva and have all their
material and data filed for reference
and stimulate all forms of propaganda
in their countries on behalf of the
league and its activities"
Lord Roberts influence in the AS
sembly is such as to make it certain
that the Assembly Will act on his sug-
gestion.
The league to-day named Judge F. v:
N. Beichmann, of Norway, president of
the Court of Appeals at Trondhjem, as
fourth deputy judge of the Interna-
tional Court of Justice. Acceptances !
of judgeships also were received from
John Bassett Moore, of the United !
States; DR.. Andre Weiss, of France;
Dr.. Max Huber, Of Switzerland; DR..
3. T. c. Loder, OF Holland; DR.. Antonio
S. de Bustamente, of Cuba, \and Wis
count Robert Finlay of England. DR..
Moore's cablegram said: II accept
with q due sense of the honor and re-
sponsibility"
Americans Explain Position
The league secretary also received
cablegrams from Elihu Root. Justice
George Gray, Oscar S. Straus and DR..
Moore explaining their position in not
tcsntinusd % saso shrse)