The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-01-09
SHOULD FORM
LEAGUE EAT ONCE
Lord Cecil Urges Definite Or
ganization as First Step
to Peace.
NAvIES FOR D EFF Sc
British Representative No
Sympathy With Pessimistic
View of Peace Congress.

Paris, Jan. S.--(A. P.)--Lord Rob-
ert Cecil, who has arrived here with
the first section of the British peace
delegation, expressed the opinion to,
the Associated Press that the def
mite organization of a league of ma
tions Is indispensable as first step
toward the conclusion of that endur-
ing peace and a satisfactory settle
ment of international problems which
have arisen out of the war. Lord
Robert made 1t clear that his state
ments were personal views and not nm
attempt to give the views of the
|, British government.
"In my opinion d. leag1sa OF .natious
| u necessary ns the initial stsp III sth6
peace negotiations" said Lord Rob-
ert. SIT is not only necessary To in
sure peace. hut also for the proper
treatment of mahy international
questions which must be considered
by the peace congress. Joint inter-
national action In an organized
and recognized form is necessary in
order to relieve, millions of people
who are at this moment destitute OF
food and other necessaries of life,
owing to the unsettled condition OF
the world; to regulate permanently
many vital interests such as inter-
national railway. posts. waterways,
telegraph and wireless, the use OF
the air; public health and the pro-
lection of women and Juveniles In
industry. and to discharge adequately
and justly the responsibilities of the
great civilized nations In such great
matter as the protection and guid-
ance of backward peoples. 1t is the
sum of all these recognized Joint ac-
tivities, interests ard responsibilities
that we call by the name of league
of nations
1T Is our business to give this
league definite form here and now"
Lord Robert made 1t clear in his
talk that he has little sympathy with
the view that the peace congress may
gradually drift into prolonged ses-
sion which will ultimately be ad--
Journed without a league of nations
being definitely and positively or
ganized.
u agree that this congress must re-
gard itself as the first regular meeting
OF the nations forming the league" he
sald, "put l think it would be a dam
gereus policy to let the peace congress
drift along atmlessly without reaching
positive organization of a league OF
nations. Leaving things open is hazard
0AS ana gets one nowhere.
This impresses me as being a time
for the creation of body which will
be effectively organized fSld not allowed
to drop into inaction. We are, more
ever. anxious not to commit the demo-
cratic peoples to responsibilities
whlch they are net prepared, deliberate-
ly and consciously, to accept. II is
therefore, important to avoid vagueness
aad to define our policy clearly and
opeAly."
Asked how far ornaments can be linn
ftsa by league OF nations. Lord Rob-
eFt replied:
That. in my cpiaion, probably is the
most difficult problem the peace con-
gress will face. Before national gov
ernmsnts had effective police organiza-
tons 1t was impossible to prevent indi-
vlduals from carrying arms to protect
themselves against outlawry. Laws
against the carrying of firearms could
not be enforced until the necessity for
carrying them ceased to exist
so II Is with the league. Individual
nations will hardly be willing to disarIn
until they are sure of peace and justice
through the operation of the league.
Moreover, how can any Limitation of
ornaments be actually enforced? What
assurance can we have, for instance.
that Germany will not create an army
more or less secretly?
The world did not know how exten-
slvely Germany was preparing for war.
she Nigh develop another force under
the guise of militia. These are the
difficulties we have to face, but we
must endeavor earnestly to secure CO.
operation between the powers repre-
sented at the congress In a broad policy
of demobilization which will Correspond
with the yearnings of all peoples to be
relieved as soon as possible from the
burdens they have borne for these last
four and half years.
When asked if the conditions were
the same with naval forces Lord Rob
ert replied in the affirmative.
Navies for Defense.
Nations do not build navies for Of
fensive purposes" he said '"Ther
build them for defensive purposes, for
police duties. Here again is a great
scope for cooperation and arrangement
between the powers represented at the
peace congress"