Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-09-24
DRAFTS CONSTITUTION
FOR LEAGUE OF NATIONS
Clerical Member OF German Reich.
stag, Matthias Erzberger,
Submits Plan.
NAMES FIVE CHARTER MEMBERS
Organization Would BE Considered
Formed When Germany, Great
Britain, France, United States and
Russia Signified Their Adherence.
TBv Associated Press !


draft OF constitution for league of
nations. worked out in detail by Ma
thias Erzberger, clerical member OF
the German Reichs,as, Is published IN
the Nossischc ZcitunS, OF Berlin. 1t is
! taken from book entitled The League
of Nations; the Way 10 Peace" which
Erzberger soon will publish. The first
section of this constitution, dealing
with the organization OF such league
sa.s: ANY sovereign state can enter
the league which shall be considered TO
have been formed when the following
powers are among those who have an
nounced adherence: Germany. Great
Britain. France. United States and
Russia"
The Hague would be the sea. Of the
league and the international bureau.
Each state, with the approval OF its
parliament, would appoint one delegate.
The international bureau would be CON
trolled by permanent administrative
council. consisting Of the representa-
tives of the federated powers with the
Dutch Foreign Minister as chairman.
Dealing with Fundamental laws, tho
second section says; The league. shall
guarantee the territorial possessions
Of each federated state as we'll as un-
disturbed possession of colonies"
INDEPENDENT IN CONDUCT
OF IT'S OWN AFFAIRS
Each state would be Independent in
the conduct OF its internal and foreign
affairs within the limits OF the leagues
constitution.
states whose government. with the
assent of their parliarncnts. declare
their permanent naturalization would
be recognized by all members OF the
league as permanently neutral, and
would enjoy the leagues protection.
against any federal state outside of the
league which attacks federal state or
takes up arms withou, having applied
to the arbitration court or awaited its
Judgment. or which takes arms instead
of accepting it's judgment.
Members of the league would mutu-
ally undertake TO cut down and steadily
reduce their land. naval and serial
forces according 10 a fixed standard TO
be agreed upon. They would further
undertake not 10 use their forces for
OF internal order, defense OF their ter
ritory against attack and for Joint exc
cution OF the leagues mandates.
Figures showing the annual cSpcndi-
turc for armament. the number OF
troops under arms. war materials in
hand and tho number OF warships in
ally by The Hague. Bureau. The CON
stitution provides for economic equal
ity and for the principle OF tho opcu
door, all members of tho league grant
ing each other most favored nation
treatment.
WOULD DIVIDE EACH
STATES RAW MATERIAL.
For the first decade after the founda-
ticn Of the league each states surplus
Of raw materials would be divided be-
tween the other federal states. accord
ing 10 a standard to be agreed upon.
This would be irrespective OF the i'm
ports OF the year, the output and the
special needs OF individual states due
TO the war. Members of the league
would recognize freedom OF the seas.
Straits. canals and connecting seas.
both banks OF which are not In posses.
sion OF the same federal state, would
be internationa!ized.
Safety of private property on the
high seas would be proclaimed and the
naval prize law and blockade law
abolished.
Exercise OF the blockade would be
reserved 10 the league for use against
any federal state which violates the
leagues constitution and against any
state not belonging 10 the league which
takes UP arms against the ncutraliZed
state Ships OF the federated states
and their cargo would be treated in
each state like its own. overseas ca
tleS would be controlled ~ commits
sion OF the league.
Members OF the league would re.
nounee the raising Of troops in eoIonial
situated in Africa would be perpetually
neutral states.
HOW NIOLAToR WOULD
BIZ BROUGHT TO TERMS
The third section. dealing with the
leagues executive department, pro-
vides that in event OF oncnSes, mem
bers Will proceed against the violaior
OF the constitution. first by severance
OF diplomatic relations; second, com
plete isolation OF the offender by clos
ing frontiers TO imports, exports. postal
and railroad traffic. and third in given
circumstances by blockade The same
measures would be taken against any
hostile menace OF a federated state
from nonmcmbcr. Should the Of
tending state cross its frontiers with
hostile intent against one or more
members OF the league joint military
and marine assistance would be gwen.
ErZberger invites criticisms of his
plan. as well practical counterpro-
posals