The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-09-24
WAY TO PEACE
IS OUTLINED BY
Head OF GERMAN
CENTRIST PARTY
Erzberger Submits His
Plans For League
of Nations
(By Associated Press.)

Amsterdam, Sept. IA draft of
a constitution for a league of ma
tons. worked out in detail by Matn-
tas Erzberger, clerical member Of
the German reichstag. is published
in The Vosgische Zeitung Of Berlin.
It is taken from a book entitled The
League of Nations: The Way &c
Peace" which ErZberger soon will
publish.
The first section of this constltu-
ton dealing with the Organization
of league says: Amy sovereign
state can enter the league which
shall be considered to have been
formed when the following powers
are among those who have announ-
ced adherence: Germany. Great Brit
ain, France, United States and RUS
.sta,"r-.--.
The Hague would be the seat Of
the league and there the internA-
tional bureau would conduct its
business. Each state. with the ap-
prevail of it's parliament, would ap-
point one delegate. The interna-
tional bureau would be controlled by
a. permanent administrative council
consisting Of the representatives OF
the federated powers with the duties
foreign minister as chairman.
Guarantees TeFritoTy.
Dealing with fundamental lows,
the second section says:
THE league shall guarantee the
territorial possessions 81 OF each fed
Grated state as we'll as undisturbed
possession of colonies"
Each state would be Independent
in the conduct of it's internal and
foreign affairs within the limits OF
constitution
States whose governments with
the assent of their parliaments de-
clare their permanent neutraltza.-
ton would be recognized by all
members Of the league as perman-
emily neutral and would enjoy the
leagues protection. All available
means would be used against any
federal state outside Of the league
which attacks a federal or takes up
arms without having applied TO the
court or awaited it's
Judgment, or which takes up arms
instead of accepting its judgment,
To Reduce Armies.
Members of the league would
undertake to cut down and
steadily reduce their land, naval and
aerial forces, according to nxed
standard to be agreed upon.
IL CD bAiO"AAA3 NtAr
penditure for armament. the NUM-
Der OF troops under arms. war ma
terials in hand and the number Of
warships in commission would be
annually to The
Hague bureau which would publish
them"
The constitution provides economic
and for the principal OF the
omen door, all members Of the league
granting each other most favored
nation treatment
For the first decade after the
Of the league each states
surplus Of raw materials would be
divided between the other federal
states, according to a standard to
be agreed upon.
Members of the league would
recognize freedom OF the seas.
Straits. canals and connecting seas
both banks OF which are not in pos
session OF the same federal state
would be internationalized and their
Notifications retained, guarded by
a. command consisting of contingents
from all the federated states.
Safety of private property on the
high seas would be proclaimed ana
the naval prize law and blockade
law abolished. Exercise of the right
OF blockade would be reserved TO
the league.
Members of the league would an
nounce the raising Of troops in col
oniaI territories. All states with
colonies situated in Africa would be
perpetually neutral states.
The third section dealing with the
leagues executive department pro-
vides that in event OF offences, mem
beers will proceed against the viola
tor Of the execution. first by sever
ance Of diplomatic relations. second
complete isolation of the offender by
closing, frontiers to imports, exports,
postal and railroad traffic. and third.
in given circumstances by blockade.
The same measures would be taken
by any hostile menace OF federated
state from a non member. Should
the offending state cross it's frontier
with hostile intent with one or more
members of the league, joint mill
tary and marine assistance would be
given.