The sun., 1918-12-23
WILSON WILL ASK
PLEDGE TO LEAGUE


have an open mind for all sugges-
tons.
The situation. therefore. is now de-
scribed about like this: President Will
son believes that a league OF nations
should be formed to prevent future
wars and regards this as an all i'm
portant part Of the peace programme.
How the Premiers stand.
Premier Clemenceau believes that in
principle the league OF nations plan s.
an excellent thing, provided IL can be
made workable. Premier Lloyd George
is ready TO indorse the idea and ma
turally hopes that some benefit will
result from exchange of ideas on the
subject. Premier Orlando concurs in
the views of the others. There Is
nothing new in this, 1t is explained,
because France, Great Britain and
Italy Endorsed point XIV. along with
most of the other points when the
armistice was signed. The point fol-
lows:
"A general association of nations
must be formed under specific cove
nants for the purpose of affording mu-
tual guarantees OF political indepen-
dence and territorial integrity to great
and small states alike"
According 10 latest reports, the
peace conference will not begin until
February. At the first sessions the
league Of nations in all probability
still will be in the form of n general
idea regarded as undoubtedly benefi-
cial II IL Gamble worked out. 1t may be
possible shortly thereafter to compare
some of the ideas advanced by spe-
cially qualified British, French ard
American investigators on some Of the
questions involved. 1t is regarded as
extremely unlikely that any satisfac-
tory detailed plan will have been
solved by this time.
Cannot Prepare Plan Hastily.
Even assuming that by some mirac-
ulous turn of affairs a definite practt-
cal solution for this problem of all the
ages were to be laid before the En-
tente and American delegations, the
matter would only be in its infancy. If
the French Premier and his delegates
Endorsed every detail in the plan and
the British and Italian Premiers did
likewise and President Wilson and
the American delegates also found II
perfect, the labor of really forming
the pact for the so-called league only
would have begun.
The league includes more than the
four nations now attempting to map
out the general scope OF the negotia-
lions. It includes neutrals, and II II is
a complete league, even Germany, Rus
sia and China must indorse 1t as well
as the South American States-in fact
all the nations OF the world are under
stood to be concerned in its provisions
The league. according to the Presi-
dents outline to afford mutual guar
antee Of political Independence and
territorial integrity TO great and small
states alike" thereby vitality af1ects
these states both great and small. Few
here assume that any such gigantic
task could be begun in February under
the most promising conditions and
completed In few weeks. One est
mate Of the time 1t would take for the
detailed plan to be worked out and
agreed upon under favorable circrm-
stances Is ten years.
.dfepends on the Conditions.
The point is made here that the
President cannot expect more than
sanction for the idea OF a league oil
nations to be part OF the peace pact
It will, however, be of the utmost i'm
portance how any such sanction IL
y,attnna TladUe
themselves to formulate a detailed plan
under specific general conditions APP
proved in the peace treaties. in which
case everything would depend upor
what these conditions were.
For example, II the peace pact con-
tanned the provision that the United
States pledge itself to undertake, In
association with the Entente allies, the
formation OF a league OF nations anI
to appoint delegates, &c, the peace
pact itself probably would not be de-
layed in ratification in the Senate, be-
cause Congress would have the right
closely to scrutinize the future detailed
league of nations plan and reject OF
ratify It according to the judgment OF
the American people. The same would
apply. it Is explained. to Great Britain
and France.
But II the peace pact contained pro
visions pledging the United States &c
any particular form of league involv'
ing an international police force oi
other definite plans, the Senate, 1t il
clearly indicated, would be inclined tc
refuse to ratify the peace pact unit
these features had been stricken out.
1t is admitted here that the refer
ences which may refer to the league OF
nations in the peace pact will be Of
great Importance and subject to much
discussion in Paris. But the detailed
plan itself. it is explained, must OF
necessity be postponed for future con-
sideration.