The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-05
A LEAGUE OF NATIokS.
Certain Preliminary Requirements o.
Its Formation.

To THE EDrron OF THE suN-Sir: The
project OF q league OF nations 10 ia
thered by great men. such as President
Wilson, viscount Grey. Lord Bryce and
other well known statesmen. Being the
expression OF lofty ideallsm, IL has met
in democratic countries with a wide
spread and hearty acceptance The pur-
poses and aims would be:
First. to prevent war, threatening to
ruin civilization by the immensely of Its
horrors and waste on account OF the
rapid perfection OF all instruments Of
warfare, and to abolish destruction Of
life and national wealth;
Secondly. to settle international dis
putes by a tribunal of arbitration and
board OF Cancellation in accord with .
code Of international laws and rules
made by the collective efforts Of al part
ners Of the league:
Thirdly. to effect q universal. real.
military and naval Disarmament to curb
burdensorrfe expenses for costly future
ornaments and by such disarmament to
enable all nations TO pay Off their ma
tional debts;
Fourthly, to create a friendly interna-
tional cooperation in all labors directed
to raise the economical, social and po-
litical standards OF all units OF the
league. The unselash aims Of such a
union are so ideal that many doubt that
such a league is possible.
The difficulties ahead are great. The
experience OF mankind and history
teaches us that heretofore all disputes
between nations have ultimately been
settled by the force OF arms. that peace
has followed every war and war has
followed peace. Nobody can deny II.
Human nature has not lost its ferocity.
but rather Increased II, II We Judge by
the terrible cruelties perpetrated In this
war. The passion for national unity
and independence Is the supreme instinct
and the supreme right of all free and
oppressed nations, and use OF force and
war Is accepted as the last resort to de-
fend or get national freedom and rights,
as II Is done now. No nation can OF
will reaounce that supreme right.
Apparently the obstacles are colossal
but the benefits OF a real union Of ma
lions would be so Immense that league
OF nations may be formed II the follow
ing preliminary essential conditions OF
league are established as the result
| OF this world war:
/. German militarism, the real and
| great obstacle OF a union Of nations
must be broken by a crushing defeat OF
| this German armies.
2. All oppressed European nations
| and all non-Turkish races in the Otto
man Empire must be free and indie.
| pendent nations. That condition de-
mands the ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of Austria
and Turkey.
! 3. All states must have constitutions
based on really democratic principles. II
is not a question Of constitutional mon.
archy or republic. That decision may
be taken by the respective nations. Blu,
| the acceptance of democratic principles
by all present Independent nations and
| all nations to be reconstructed and freed
| by the war must be one Of the principal
| terms Of peace. To regard 1t. as here
tofore. as an internal affair OF each stat,
Is not right, because on the real democ
| eacy OF the respective states depends the
, peace Of the world. BY making the &C
ceptance Of democratic principles obi
| gatory for all nations no ono shall have
reason to object.
Don't We know that In many coun.
| tries. on account OF privileged classes
the characterization Of the government
would b6 slow or impossible without out
side pressure from the existing deInoc'
| racies? That Is the only way to make
the world safe for democracy" Tht
world is not yet democratic, 30 autocra
cies must be replaced by democracies b,
the terms OF the coming peace.
| The democratic principles to be &C
cepted by all nations should be:
| First, universal, equal, secret ballot /:
given all men in every country.
Secondly. woman suffrage In conceded
| Thirdly. parliamentary representation
is to be based on the number OF votes
not districts.
| Fourthly, parliamentary responsibility
OF ministry will be enforced.
Filthy. the declaration OF war and
making Of peace Is to be the right OF the
parliaments by four-ffths OF the mum.
Der OF members.
Sixthly. the right to veto the declara-
ton Of war is conceded to the inter
national tribunal at Tho Hague. All are
to accept the judgment OF the interna-
tional court. In exceptional cases the
tribunal at The Hague may recommend
a reconsideration OF the declaration OF
war by newly elected parliaments of the
nations involved. promising non-inter
ference. That would make a local war
theoretically possible. but in practice
very difficult on account Of the influence
OF woman suffrage. new elections and
delays.
| Seventhly. open diplomacy, the pub.
fishing OF all treaties between nations
must be enforced. All nations mus
have access to and the freedom OF the
seas. II such preliminary conditions car
be established as the result of this war
the formation and successful mainte
nance OF a league of nations. based OF
international, military and naval force
and mutual pledge and faith to obey
international rules. may become a re-
| atty. DR.. JULIUS HUBERT.
| NEW BRITAIN, Conn. October 1.
|
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