ASSEMBLY OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

YESTERDAY’S MEETING.

From Our Special Correspondent. Geneva, Monday.

It is probable that Nov. 15 will stand out in history as a date of first importance in the history of the world. It has seen assemble in the city of Geneva the representatives of forty-two States, a great majority of the civilised nations of the earth for the purpose of adopting measures to ensure the peace of mankind and prevent force being the only arbiter of international disputes. No parallel exists in human records for this great step forward in the direction of the establishment of a “Parliament of Man”, and although the Leagued Nations is still regarded by some with scepticism and incredulity, there is ground for hope that the organisation will afford means of avoiding a repetition of the catastrophe which recently overwhelmed civilisation, and under which the nations are still bowed to the earth. The work to be accomplished is vast and bristling with difficulties but the ideal to be attained is great enough to stimulate the representatives of the Powers to stifle local or national interests, and to strive forward towards the beneficent ideal set in view by the founders of the League.

To-day the external surroundings in the city of Geneva were of good augury. A sun of almost summer radiance and warmth shone from a sky of cerulean blue, and many saw in this a promise for the success of the first Assembly of the League. The city was en fête for the occasion; every building, from the stately tower of St. Peter’s Cathedral to the humblest dwelling and the steamers on the placid blue waters of Lake Leman were bedecked with flags and bunting. Dense crowds filled the streets and the stately Bridge of Mont Blanc, by which the delegates crossed the River Rhône to reach the Salle de Reformation, where the meetings will be held. This building, plain, cold, and severe as befits the Calvinism it commemorates, had been transformed both in its external and internal features, and presented an appearance befitting the greatness and dignity of the assembly of which it is to be the scene. The Salle stands between the Rue de Rhône and the Rue Versonnex. Both these streets in the vicinity of the building were closed to traffic and guarded by gendarmes, clad in the long blue cloaks and cocked hats reserved for ceremonial occasions.

OPENING CEREMONY.

The first event of the day was the procession of the Swiss Federal Council and Council of State of the Canton of Geneva from the Hôtel de Ville, accompanied by Government officials and a modest military display. M. Motta, President of the Confederation, was at the head of the procession, which was loudly acclaimed by the crowds assembled in the Rue de Rhône and the adjoining streets. The President reached the Salle de Reformation at eleven o’clock, and a few minutes afterwards, accompanied by M. Hymans, Acting-president of the Assembly, he entered the Chamber and took a place on the dais. It was exactly 11.16 a.m. when M. Hymans tinkled gently on his new silver-gilt bell and opened the proceedings of what may prove one of the most momentous meetings in the world’s history.

M. Hymans, in solemn and impressive tones, formally declared open the first Assembly of the League of Nations. He then explained that the Assembly had met as the result of a request addressed to President Wilson by the Council of the League on May 20 last. The Covenant provides that the first Assembly must be summoned by the President of the United States, and Mr. Wilson on July 17 telegraphed to the Secretary-general; “I have the honour to summon the first meeting of the League in the town of Geneva for Nov. 15, 1920, at eleven o’clock.” M. Hymans, having made this announcement, called upon the President of the Swiss Confederation to take the chair.