New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-09-08
3 Nations Back
Cecil Plea for
Action ON Debts
Baron EIayashi, of Japan !:
DIR. Mossa, Swiss Eayoy,
and DIR. Nansesi. Norway's
Spokesman, Favor Idea
Method Not Discussed

By Wilbur r orrest

copyFlgst. 1884 sssw York Tribune INC.
GENEVA. SEPT. z Lord Robert Ce-
els plan 80 bring the moral pressure
Of the forty-gour nations represented
in the League Of Nations to bear on
the Allies who appear incapable of
solving the German separations and in
teraationai debt problems which are
poiaoning the atmosphere of Europe
reserved strong backing at te-day's
session Of the Assembly. Baron Fla
yashi. of Japan; DIR. Giuseppe Motta,
Of Switzerland, and DR.. Fridtjof Nan
sen. of Norway, all made speeches sec
oading Lord Roberts theory that Eu-
1spean peace and stability are now
beyond the power Of tae inter-Allied
ceuncil and that the leaugue must
tackle the great issues or fail.
But despite Lord Roberts able ex-
position OF his idea and the backing
he received what strikes close observ-
cFs more and more is that the league
as suffering from, the same malady
with which the entire world seems to
be afflieted--absence Of real leader
ship capable Of making the league
powerful enough to bring sufficient
pressure to bear on the Allies to
force action or to make them hand
over the great deadloeked problems of
debts and reparations
@leser analysts Of Lord Roberts
speech yesterday develops that it gave
b1r a ITO big idea, but atopped short
or providing the ways and means to
carry out his plan, The same failing
syas .glaringly apparent in to-day's
speeches which appiauded the British
s*atesman'a initiative but went no
further. This timidity not only marked
the speeches on the floor OF the AS
sembly, but also Tho Tribune CORE
spoadeHtss private conversations with
individual delegates from many
counties, who seem this year more than
ever prone to work up enthusiasm over
such minor affairs as the suppression
of immoral publications, deportation
of women and children from Turkey,
white slave and opium traffic and kin
dred subjects, but incapable of con-
structive interest in the great issues
pn which the possibility Of European
peace or war hangs. All Of which leads
many observers now In Geneva to offer
The conclusion that the league always
will be an organization capable only
of secondary accomplishments until the
United States lends it's membership
with a consequent revival of faith even
among its own members.
In the mean time the powerful
League Council, which is the real ex-
ecusiye body, is controlled by the
greater European Allies and is en-
powered to examine projects which the
Assembly may avoid. However, the
supporters of Lord Robert Cecips plan
had not lost all hope to-day, as Pre-
niiers Poincare and Lloyd George, we'll
matched opponents in the Council, may
decide to consider league intervention
ilin Europe's two greatest problems,
The hope for Lloyd Georges support is
based on his suggestion in this con-
nection made at the London conference,
but in so far as could be learned to-day
neither the French nor British dele
cations here nor the governments at
Paris and London had officially recog-
nized Lord Roberts suggestion.
Speaks of Japan at Washington
Speaking on Lord Robert Cecii's
plan Baron Hayashi referred to the
League Councils greatest triumph in
$ The settlement of the Upper Silesian
problem, which he declared the chan
seelIeries of Europe had been impotent
10 solve owing to internal politics. He
recalled Japans part in the Washing
ton conference, which achieved great
progress toward the goal to which the
league is marching.
ii am happy to be able TO assure
YOU said Baron Hayashi, "that the
Japanese government will never hest
tate to give sincere and active support
to the leagues labors and all her eff.
forts will be devoted at Geneva as
they were at Washington toward the
development of spirit of confidence
in international relations"
Dir. Motta declared the European
situation was infinitely worse than last
year, and while he agreed with Sir
Roberts assertion that the league must
be all or nothing. he believed that the
problems of separations and debts
would have to be settled elsewhere, al
though the league could not ignore
them.
No concrete idea emanated from DR..
Nansens long speech, in which he also
said that the European situation was
getting worse daily.