The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-09-06
CHILEAN BOLT
FROM LEAGUE
May DEVELOP
Reports Declare Delegation
Will Withdraw if Tacna and
africa Question Placed in
Agenda.
CONFERENCE ANIMATED
CBy Associated Press)

AO I'LL "A oCoolOl VI lLC oCSOAo d0SCn1-
bly, of the League of Nations opened
here today under threatening cloud.
Reports were circulated widely this
morning that the Chilean delegation
would withdraw from the league if the
question of Tacna and africa, the dis
puted provinces now being admins
tered by Chile should be placed on the
agenda of the assembly, as requested
by Bolivia.
These reports were categorially de-
MED by Augustin Edwards, head of the
Chilean delegation who was said to
have made the threat of Withdrawing.
Senor Edwards asserted he had made
no statement to either the newspaper
correspondents or delegates TO the ef-
feet that his delegation was consider
ing withdrawal. He said he would
make his only statement on the sub
ject to the assembly when the question
comes up.
Conferences Animated.
Animated conferences were held
around the Chilean delegation for
some time before the assembly was
called to order. Arthur J. Balfour, the
British representative had an earnest
talk with Senor Edwards, after which
the Chilean delegation conferred at
some length.
H. A. VanKarnebeek of Holland,
who yesterday was elected president
of the assembly relieved the tension
somewhat by proposing that the as
sembly complete its organization by
naming commissions for the election
of vice-presidents before taking up
the agenda involving Tacna and africa
A prolonged debate on the procee-
dure to be followed ensued and occu-
pied most of the morning session.
President Van Karnebeek proposed
that the afternoon also be devoted to
the work of organization thus throw
ing over to tomorrow consideration of
Bolivia's request that the Tacna-Arica
question be placed on the agenda.
Meanwhile, efforts are being made
to secure the consent of Chile and
Bolivia to the appointment of COM
mission to study the question.
Bolivia's Request.
Bolivia's request that the assembly
of the League of Nations consider
means of settling the dispute over the
province of Taona and africa, at pres
ent under Chilean jurisdiction, was
expected to cause sharp debate in to-
days session of the assembly. Peru
appeared at first as a party to Boliy-
| las request, but it was announced
| this morning she had withdrawn
The request for the assembly's aid
was made by Bolivia on the principle
/ enunciated by Woodrow Wilson that
| all states were entitued to an outlet
! to the sea.
Agustin Edwards, Chilean minister
/ n En0land nd aP he y,
assembly, came to Geneva expressly
to oppose consideration of the Aaona-
| africa problem He was armed with
formidable array of opinions from
international lawyers, including one
from John W. Davis. former American
ambassador to Great Britain, support
ing his contention that the assembly
was incompetent to deal with the
| question.
Drummond to Report.
| Sir Edward Drummond was pre-.
pared to report on the years work
of the secretary of the council of the
league, and it was expected that this
report would be heard after the elec
ton of the six vicepresidents Of the
assembly.
Sir Eric's report embodied the con
clusion of the special committee
which investigated the organization
last spring and recommended that the
seat of the league should be removed
to Brussels in the interests of econ
omy.
A number of the delegates had in
timated they would urge such a re
moval, and they pointed out that witt
the exchange rate adverse TO all dele
gates, the cost of living and mainte
nance of the secretariat here was ex
cessively high.
The absence Of delegates from the
Central American states at the open
ing of the assembly yesterday occa
stoned much comment, there being {
tendency in some circles to attribute
their absence to the influence of tn,
United States.
1t was explained, however, that th'
Costa Rican delegation had expressed
the opinion that the absence of otheI
central American was due to uncef
tainty as to whether the New Contra
American federation was entitled u
only one delegation, or whether eaci
state still could be represented.