THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS: Auspicious Week

The Seventh Assembly of the League of Nations convened at Geneva last week and voted Germany within the League, but not until the minor nations concerned had protested the steam roller tactics of the great powers. The delegates continued amicably-minded while they elected Foreign Minister Nintchitch of Jugoslavia President of the Assembly but contention ensued thereafter. When Vice President Motta of Switzerland arose and moved the program, adopted by the League Council (TIME, Sept. 13), for the admission of Germany to the League, the resentment of the minor nations became sharply crystallized.

Protests. Dr. Fridtjof Nansen, famed Norwegian explorer, virile and impressive Viking, leaped to his feet and declared that he could not even hear the words of President Nintchitch from where the Norwegian delegation was seated near the back of the hall: "I demand a written statement of the proposals which are being moved and debated. ... It is proposed that the Council be enlarged by three semipermanent seats at the same time that Germany is admitted to a new permanent seat. I deplore the creation of semi-permanent seats for the aggrandizement of the larger powers over the smaller nations. . . . This is a great price to pay for a compromise among the powers on the admission of Germany."

After similar speeches of restrained but vigorous protest by Dr. Unden of Sweden, Jonkheer J. Loudon of the Netherlands and others, an oral vote was called.

"Aye! yes! oui!" One of the first to respond as the alphabetical roll was called was the Australian delegate who shouted a cheery "Aye!" It was explained to the French tellers who understood only English English that "aye" meant "yes." Forthwith the voting proceeded with naught heard but "yes" or "oui" At the 48th affirmative President Nintchitch announced that Germany had been unanimously elected to membership in the League of Nations and to a permanent seat on the League Council.

Before Secretary General Sir Eric Drummond of the League could telegraph the news to Berlin, thousands of German radio fans had already heard the momentous words of M. Nintchitch as they were broadcast. Forthwith the German delegation headed by Foreign Minister Stresemann and Count von Bernstorff left Berlin for Geneva in three special cars attached to three separate trains. Thus the extravagance of a special train and engine was prudently avoided.

Sensible words. As Herr Stresemann strode into the Assembly at the head of the German delegation a cheer went up from Mrs. Woodrow Wilson, Ignace Jan Paderewski, Senator Claude Swanson, and many another who sweltered in the gallery. Replying to the formal greeting of President Nintchitch, Herr Stresemann mounted the Tribune, mopped his pinkly bald head, planted his legs firmly, joined his hands somewhat nervously behind his back, launched into a sound and sensible discourse in German:

"Today Germany enters the circle of States to some of which she has been attached by untroubled ties of friendship whereas others were allied against her during the Great War. It surely is an event of historical importance that Germany and these latter States are now brought together within the League of Nations for permanent and pacific cooperation. . . .