New-York tribune., 1918-09-24
Berlin Agrees to
Drop Helferich as
Envoy to Russia
German Plan for League Of
Nations Is Announced
by Erzberger

received here from Berlin says the
resignation of Dr. Karl Helfferich as
to Russia has been ac-
cepted. DR.. HelfFerich announced his
readiness, at the Chancellor's wish, to
resume economic preparations for the
peace negotiations.
"A draft OF constitution for league
OF nations worked out in detail by
Matthias Erzberger, Clerical member of
the German Reichstag, is published in
the "Vosssche Zcitung," of Berlin. 1t
is taken from book entitled "Thc
League of Nations, the Way to Peace"
which Erzberger will publish soon.
The first section of this constitution,
dealing with the organization of such
a league, says "any sovereign state can
enter the league, which shall be con-
sidercd to have been formed when the
following powers are among those who
have announced adherence: Germany.
Great Britain, France. United States
ana Russia"
Ohe DeleEdte Each
The Hague would be the seat of the
league, and there the international bu
reau would conduct it's business. Each
state, with the approval of it's parlia-
ment, would appoint one delegate. The
international bureau would be con-
trolled by a permanent administrative
council consisting Of the representa-
tives OF the federated powers, with the
Dutch Foreign Minister as chairman
Dealing with fundamental laws, the
second section says: "The league shall
guarantee the territorial possessions
Oh eacl federated state as we'll as un-
disturbed possession OF colonies" Each
state would be independent in the con-
duct OF its internal and foreign affairs
within the limits of the leagues con-
stltution.
States whose governments. with the
assent of their parliaments, declare
their permanent naturalization would
be recognized by all members Of the
league as permanently 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
state or takes up arms without having
applied to the arbitration court or
awaited its judgment or which takes
arms instead OF accepting its Judgment.
Has Disarmament Plan
,Members Of the league would mutu-
ally undertake to cut down and stead
lily reduce their land, naval and aerial
forces according to a fixed standard to
be agreed upon. They would further
not TO use their forces for
any other objects than the maintenance
OF internal order, defence Of their ter
against attack and for joint exc
cutlon OF the leagues mandates.
for the first decade after the foun-
dation of the league each states sur
Plus OF raw materials would be d;-
vlded between the other federal states
according to standard to be agreed
upon. This would be respective of the
imports OF the year, the output and the
special needs of individual states due
to the war.
Members CT the league would recog-
nlzc freedom Of the seas. Straits.
canals and connecting seas both banks
of which arc not in possession of the
same federal state would be interna-
tlonallzed and their Notifications re-
tanned, guarded by command consist
ing OF contlngents from all the fed
Grated states and commanded in rota-
ton every three years by 4 delegate of
the states.
Safety OF private property on the
high seas would be proclaimed and the
naval prize law and blockade law abol-
lshed. Exercise of the right of block
ade would be reserved to the league.
and only to the league, for use against
any federal state which violates the
leagues constitution and against anv
state not belonging to the league which
takes up arms against the neutralized
state. Ships of the federated states
and their cargo would be treated in
each state like its own. Overseas
cables would be controlled by COM
mission OF the league
Members of the league would re-
nounce the raising of troops in
colonial territories All states with
colonies situated in Africa would be
rerpetually neutral states.
Asks for Criticism
The third section, dealing with the
leagues executive department, provides
that in event of offences members will
proceed against the violator of the con-
stitution, first, by severance of dplo-
matte relations: second, complete isola-
tion of the offender by closing from
tiers to imports, exports, postal and
railroad traffic, and third, in given
by blockade. The same
measures would be taken against any
hostile r:cnace OF a federated state