Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-13
yond all human cure. BRYCE"
The plan is outlined by Lord

The plan is outlined by Lord
| Bryce'S committee as follows:
/, To refer all disputes that might arise
between them, II diplomatic methods OF
adjustment had failed, either to an arbitrsl
tribunal for judicial decision or TO a council
| OF Cancellation for investigation and report
.. Not to declare war or begin hostnitcs
| or hostile preparations until the tribunal had
decided or the council had reported.
}. To take concerted action, economic
and forcible, against any stgnatory power
that should act in violation OF the preceding
T. To take similar action against any nom
stgnatory power that should declare war
or begin hostilities or hostile preparations
against sgnatory power without first sub
mltting tho dispute TO peRceable settlement
by the method indicated.
CocrCive action by the members Of the
union would he q treaty obligation only in
the case whore n state had resorted TO force
before submitting the dispute TO pcaccablo
settlement Far the purposes of such action
1t is not proposed to abolish national arma-
ments and substitute a force under inter
national control, The forces employed should
be the national forces OF the members of
the union, International disputes which
diplomacy has failed to adjust wonld be re-
ferred either TO judicial process or to con-
ciliation, Thus, two classes of disputes are
recognized and two processes Of adjustment:
l. The first class of disputes arc called
"Justclaho." Such disputes are 10 bo re.
fcrred Ito The Hague court, as It now ls
or may In future he constituted or TO some
other arbitral court.
2. The other class OF disputes, being, of
course the class most likely to lead to war
comprises those which are not iustcablc.
such as, for instance. those which arise out
of the general economic and political rivalry
of states or, 1t may be, from the discomfort
of nationalitlcs within q state, where such
ttaaR NtaNf
kindred people,
For the settlement OF such disputes
judicial tribunal iE not tho best authority.
1t Is proposed, therefore, to institute for
this purpose new international body which
is called the council OF Cancellation
The members of the council would he
appointed by the slgnatory states for
fixed term Of years, the council being thus
always complete and in being As the
council has no executive power and Its
function is merely to investigate, report,
and make recommendations, II Is neither
necessary nor desirable that its members
should act under instructions from their
governments, They should deliberate and
act freely according TO their best judgment
In the interests of the whole society OF
nations,
Since II is likely that the great powers
would have a larger number of men quail
fled to be members. they might be given
great powers and one at least to each of
the rest
The council would mediate between the
dsputants and endeavor to arrange a settle
ment, which should not be a mere com
PROMISE but should rest upon inteligible
and accepted principles, and have in It some
guarantee Of permanence But In every
case where It fails to do this It should
publish report or reports dealing with the
whole situation and setting forth Its recon-
mendations and the grounds on which they
are based.
These reports and recommendations
would then form the subject of debates
in the national Legislative assemblies and Of
discussion at public meetings and In tho
press. And sufficient time being allowed
for this six months" 1t is not unreasonable
to hope that tho best public opinion of all
countries would support the council In press
ing for an amcable solution on the lines
suggested and that the disputants would
yield to that pressure,
Should this hope not be fulfilled then It
must be clearly understood that no power
would be under treaty obligation either TO
accept the recommendations of the council
or to put pressure upon power refusing to
accept them. The states would retain on
these points all their liberty of action. All
that the treaty would prescribe IL that If
such a situation arises the powers should
meet in conference to consider whether or
not It Is practicable or desirable for them
It Is possible that from such a situa-
ton war might In the last resort arise
1t 10 not claimed that the union would
make war impossible. But II Is believed
that the enforced period OF delay. the con-
sideration by an impartial council and the
publicity given to its recommendations
would be very likely to prevent war by
rallying the public opinion Of the world
in favor OF peace; and that. In the worst
case the area Of war would likely to be re-
stricted, for power making war In defiance
of the recommendations of the council
could not rely on support from the other
signatory pOWeTs