New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-18
LEAGUE
PLAN ADOPTED
BY CONFERENCE
Provides for Tribunal and
Council to Settle All
JuStiCiable Issues.
WOULD UNITE FORCE
AGAINST OFFENDER
Taft. Chosen President, Declares
Proposed Body Would Make
War Improbable.

PHILADELPHIA, June 17-That some
notifications may be made in the pro
posed international League of Peace
was evident to-day when the National
Provisional Committee began a discus
sion Of steps to be taken to obtain
the support of public opinion and of
governments. All those who addressed
to-day's conference in historic indie
pendence Hall gave hearty support to
the general objects of the league.
Ex-President Taft was selected as
chairman of the conference and several
committees were appointed, including
a committee on resolutions, which pre-
scented a declaration of principles.
The name adopted by the organlza-
ton was League TO Enforce Peace,
American Branch. Mr.. Taft was elect
ed permanent president and a large
number Of representative Americans
were named as permanent vice-presI-
dents. A permanent executive com
mittec was selected with instructions
TO take all measures necessary TO pro-
mote the objects of the league.
After speeches had been made by
Theodore Marburg, Of Baltimore, ex-
Minister 20 Belgium; Professor John
Bates Clark. Of Columbia University,
and Edward A. Filene, of Boston, all
of whom strongly indorsed the pro-
posed League of Peace, the conference
received resolutions to be acted on by
the committee on resolutions. Mr..
FiIene advocated a modification in the
scheme so that economic pressure could
be brought 10 bear on nations that
were intent on going to war before the
league used its military power to pre-
vent hostilities.
Would Give Nations Wider Power.
William Dudley Foulke, of Indiana,
offered an amendment which would
leave 70 the nations in the league the
option of placing in the treaties the
specific things they declare shall be
iusticiable or non-justiclable. Inc hrst
article of the league as 1t stands, Mr..
Foulke said, would give to the judicial
tribunal jurisdiction TO decide Such
questions. He did not believe an IN
ternational tribunal should decide the
internal affairs of any nation, such
as naturalization or immigration ques-
tions.
Victor c. Berger, Of Wisconsin, pro-
posed an amendment that when two
nations 90 to war after the league has
exhausted its powers, the non-bellige-
rent nations in the league shall be pro-
hibited from furnishing arms or Gm-
munition TO the cOmbatants, but that
there shall be no interference with
food supplies. =.
The Rev. DR.. II. Pereira Mendes, Of
New York. proposed that the suggested
judicial tribunal of the league be com
posed of jurists, skilled dlplomatlsts
and clcrgymen.
Ex-President Taft, who was made
chairman, briefly outlined the object
of the meeting. He expressed graft
fcation at the large attendance or
those who favored the prevention OF
war through a league of peace.
The proposed league, Mr.. Taft said,
NAV not abolish war, but would make
il improbable. "If we can prevent
war for twenty years" he said, I'VE
have at least accomplished some
thing"
Urge a Union of Nations.
At the afternoon session the re3olu-
tions committee reported the follow
ing: ,-, ,.or. g
rocorded history peace here and there
established has been kept and its area
has bcen widened in one way only. In
diyidual3 have combined their efforts
"a suppregs violence in the local com
munity. Communities have co-operated
"a maintain the authoritative state ana
N preserve peace within its borders.
STATES have formed leagues or contcd,
crations or have otherwise co-opcrated
10 establish peace among themselves
AIways peace has been made and kept
wben made and kept at all, by the su-
nerior mover Of superior numbers act
inc in unily for the common good.
@NindfI If this teaching OF expert
o-ce. we believe and solemn!y urge thar
.ba time has come to devise and 10 Gre
ate a working union Of sovereign ma
lions. TO establish peace among them
selves and 10 guarantee II by all known
and available sanctions az their com
mand. 10 the end that civilization may
he conserved. and the progress OF man
lind in comfort, enlightment and hap
piness may continue.
ave. tn .refore. believe Il TO be de-
sirable for the United States 70 join a
league Of nations binding the sigma
fories 20 the following:
I-All justiciable questions arising
between the signatory powers, not set
tied by negotiation, shall. subject 70
the limitations Of treaties, be submit
ted TO n judicial tribunal for hearing
and Judgment, both upon the merits
and upon any issue as 10 its jurisdlc-
ton OF the question.
"2-All other Questions arising be-