Evening star., 1923-09-30

lens of world Importance arise in the
solution of which the United States
can assist us, we shall see them
working side by side with US in that
high faith and enthusiasm they have
always displayed in every kind of
disinterested endeavor."
President Torriente expressed con-
fdence that the day would come when
all the nations of the world would
join the league. He hoped that Ecu
Rdor, which signed, but did not ratify
the treaty of Versailles, would be-
come a member, and that Mexico and
Santo Domingo would also adhere to
the world body, and he urged that
the members which this year alb
stained from participating - Argen-
tina. Peru. Bolivia. Guatemala and
Nicaragua-would take part in fu-
ture assemblies.
Reviewing the work of this years
meeting, the president praised the
wisdom and skill displayed by the
council in the Greco-Italian dispute.
uneasy, fearing widespread war
and when the difficulty was settled
with the close collaboration of the
council of the league. the whole
world experienced a sensation of relief
and satisfaction.
The test to which it was sub
Jected gave an opportunity for all to
realize" he said, how great impor-
tance for humanity the league of ma
tions-an organization which is
growing more and more respected
had acquired"
Emphasizing the friendly spirit
which had dominated all the delibera-
tions, DIR. Torriente declared there
than the statesmen of SO many ma
ttons working together in perfect
amity and sympathy, whatever their
differences. He particularly men
hn
operation of the Representatives of
France and Great Britain.
Council Virtually Same.
The council of the league for the
ensuing year will be composed of the
same countries as for the current
period except that Czechoslovakia
was elected to take the place Of China.
Thus the little entente achieved its
ambition and has been given a. voice
in the effective body of the league,
which henceforth will comprise rep
resentatives of Great Britain, France.
Italy and Japan, as the permanent
members, not subject to election, and
the following permanent men,
bers chosen today: Uruguay, Brazil.
Belgium, Sweden, Czechosloyakia and
Spain.
The campaign said to be intended
against former Premier Branting of
Sweden, because OF his activities in
the Greco-Italian affair, failed to
materialize, much to the satisfaction
of all the Scandinavian leaders.
The draft of the proposed pact of
mutual assistance among the nations,
which provides for military aid when
a signatory state is the subject of
aggression and which aims to bring
about an eventual reduction in arl1la-
nent in proportion to the security
which the various countries may feel
the pact affords, was discussed at
n a haf
embodied too vast and important
q project to be hastily decided. the
assembly voted to send the text. to
all the governments; including the
United States, for Study.
Article XVIII of the draft provides
that the treaty shall come into force
In North America when ratified by
the United States, and the5document
of the league may adhere to the pact
with the consent of two-thirds Of the
high contracting parties; also that
q country may, with the consent OF
the council, modify it's conditional
or partial adherence. provided it has
reduced or is prepared to reduce its
armaments in conformity with the
provisions of the treaty.
DR.. Benes of Czechoslovakia, a
leader who has become one of the
Influential figures of the league.
made IT clear to the delegates that
an essential feature Of the treaty
was that when the powers have 'ap-
proved general plan of armament
reduction drawn up by the league
council it will be possible for the
treaty to come into force.
Step I'm Right Direction.
He conceded that the task was a
long and difficult one, but he be-
]ieved everybody was convinced that
a step in the right direction had
The past offered guarantees and
securities. he said. Just as the
French revolution had proclaimed the
rights of man, so the league of ma
tions had proclaimed the rights Of all
nations.
mo nation" he added. ris entitled
to take war into its own hands, and
we must come to the point where
we respect international engagements
as we respect engagements in domes-
tic life"
The goal was not yet attained. he
said. but he believed the league could
help in its attainment. The. truth
was that the world could not at pres
ent achieve disarmament because 1t
was not yet sufficiently sure that the
security of the respective nations
would be regarded as inyiolable.
Abiding TO the shadow. cavsed by
Italy questioning the terms OF the
covenant, DIR. Benes declared that the
had convinced everybody that its
guidance could be relied upon.
This expression from a representa-
tive OF one of the newer countries OF
Europe seemed to voice the views Of
the delegates generally. who leave
Geneva with the expressed conviction
that yesterdays debate In the as
entirely saved the day for the league
and rendered certain it's future de-