Evening star., 1924-09-01
MOTTA IS ELECTED
LEAGUE PRESIDENT
Former Swiss Chief Execu-
tive Chosen-Speed Marks
Opening Session.
By the Associated Press,

By the Associated Press.
GENEVA, September DIR Giusep-
pc Motta, former President of Swift
zerland, was today elected president
of the fifth assembly of the League
of Nations.
Businesslike efficiency and speed
marked the inauguration today of
the work of the fifth assembly. Paul
Hymans, Belgian's energetic foreign
minister, who opened it's proceedings
In his capacity as president of the
council of the league. conducted af-
fairs like the chairman of the board
of directors of some big American
organization. None the less, he spoke
long and seriously to convince his
large audience that this assembly
could achieve great things If it would
in assuring lasting peace for the
world by finding a solution of the
grave problem of security as a neces-
sary step toward the reduction of
ornaments.
Referring to the London agree
ment for a reparation settlement with
Germany, he said it ushered in a
the road of civilization and had
caused a new and hopeful era to sue
ceed the previous times of trial, sac
riflce and suffering. He remarked
that countries which were not yet
members Of the league, like the
United States, Germany. Russia and
Turkey, had participated in the work
of the technical organizations of the
league. pointing out that thus the
leagues sphere of action was rapid
ly being extended and the spirit of
solidarity daily gaining strength.
Sees Hostility Aroused.
had aroused the persistent hostility
of all who worshipped force and who
represented patriotism as wearing
mask of hatred and anger, and who
degrade the love of country into an
egotistfcal and ferocious national
ISM"
There is, he continued, in ringing
oratorical phrases, tendency in
certain quarters to oppose the idea
OF country to the idea of solidarity,
as II these were conflicting and ir-
reconcilable conceptions. Yet, to use
the words of M. Barthou of France
he said, the spirit of International
ism can and ought to be in harmony
with the idea of country"
Applause burst from the galleries
! as NJ. Hymans fiayed the enemies of
the league as being opponents of
progress and civilization. Alluding
to the charge that the league was a
superstate. the Belgian minister de-
| ciared 1t did not supersede the func-
tlons OF individual countries but ex-
tended, developed and encouraged
them.
individual countries" he declared
do not lose single iota 70 those in
alienable rights which are alike their
protection and their pride"
Asks World Look Ahead.
NJ. Hymans appealed to the world
to look forward and not to look
backward to the terrible war that
had begun 10 years ago this Summer
ihe memory OF great deeds done. the
heroic sacrifices made, the blood so
| courageously shed must be cherished
he said, but the time had now ar
rived to safeguard the world from
the recurrence of such disasters as
had occurred and to establish on an
unshakable foundation the reign of
law and the sanctity of treaties
let Let us advance firmly through
doubts and difficulties" he added. ito
the heights where justice and peace
sit enthroned."
M. HymanS laid emphasis on the
creation of the Permanent Court of
international Justice as one of the
finest accomplishments of mankind
He said the league had before it the
task OF bringing about an atmos-
phere of cooperation and solidarity
In which the spirit of an ardent de-
sire for peace would be predominant
He also dwelt upon the Importance
of the reconstruction of Austrian and
Hungarian finances under the league.
The exact situation concerning the
plans for reduction of armaments
and the adoption of the pact for mu-
tual assistance was set forth by the
speaker. He touched briefly upon
| more important results of the leagues
activities over a wide range of sub
jects, judicial, political, humanitarian
| and others, making special mention
of the achievment of Norman H.
Davis in settling the Memal dispute
and the good work of jeremiah T.
Smith, as the league commissioner
in Hungary.
NJ. Hymans insisted, however, that
the problem which came foremost
with people all over the world, was
the problem Of security-a problem
which must be solved to bring about
terial disarmament, he declared, there
must develop what he termed a
moral disarmament" having its root
in spirit of confidence. He empha-
| sized the significance of the coming
here Of Premiers Macdonald and Her
riot as indicating the determination
of the political leaders of the world
to settle this problem.
The League Of Nations, NJ Hy-
| mans. insisted, was indispensable
| now to international life, as the GEN.
ter of cooperation. and as an entente
between the governments. He urged
the league to turn toward the goal
| OF establishing a reign of law and
justice throughout the earth. and to
assure fidelity to treaties so that the
peace might never be broken.