Nobody Spoke: Silent Delegates at a Geneva Conference: From Our Own Correspondent: Geneva Monday. A singular situation arose this morning at the opening sitting of the International Conference called to establish an International Union for the relief of populations stricken by disaster. The Chairman, Doctor Kutz, a former German Minister of the Interior, made a brief speech, read a list of nominations for the committee, and then announced the discussion was opened. No delegate, however, desired to speak, and after sitting in silence for five minutes the Conference adjourned till the afternoon. … … delegates from 36 countries were present at the opening of the Conference, Great Britain being represented by Mr. G. H. S. Pinsent of the Treasury while Mr. Algernon Maudsley attended on behalf of the British Red Cross. Russia has declined participation: British Scepticism: Geneva Monday. The general impression of the proceedings thus far is not encouraging so far as a successful issue of the whole scheme is concerned. Mr. Pinsent said that the British Government from the beginning had entertained grave doubts about the merits of the proposal. The British Government desired to make it clear that it would not be prepared to ask Parliament to provide funds for any further subscriptions under the Statutes of the proposed Union: Reuter.
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Referenced
GRO0365 Devonport: Gerald Hume Saverie Pinsent: 1888 – 1976