New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-03-09

workable league of nations, light is
sought from all sources. The English
contemporary Review" has resur-
rected William PENIS essay on league
of nations in an analysis of PENIS ideas
by Harold Spender. PENIS effort to
solve the problem was made in 1894, IN
the early years of one of the periodical
attempts to bring Europe under the
dominion of one monarch. What were
the practical means he proposed to set
tie the disputes of the world and bring
peace as habit? For that is the point
of interest now, same practical means
for establishing a league of nations as
a going concern.
His plan was simple and yet comprehen-
sve 1t was TO establish a European Diet
or Parliament, consisting of representatives
drawn froGl all the sovereign states of
Europe, in proportion to their wealth and
numbers.
He proposed a small body-ninety men,
bers only They were to sit in some central
city Of Europe-perhaps hernd- They we're
to vote by ballot No great decision was
TO be taken without a r.aloeFy of two
thirds behind it, Their chamber to be
circular in order to avoid quarrels Of prece-
dencc Each country was t. keep its own
records, to possess its own clerks; to
fer back for instructions % lis own govern
ment if necessary Presence at debates
oil
were to be allowed to abstain from voting.
To each European state domestic SOW
ercignty was to be left intact Each govern
ment was to be left sovereign within its
own acknowledged dominions. The chief
function Of the European Diet was to be
to decide this supreme question what those
domnions were TO be. In other words, the
sovereignty of the Imperial Diet was to be
sovereg nty of territorial division. Just
a in Great Britain the central government
decides the borders of countries, so in
Europe the Diet was to decide the borders
OF states.
But II this was to be the function q the
Diet, what were to be the fixed title deeds
on which possession was TO be based? On
what principles territorial claims to
be decided IL force were to be finally tx-
cuded as a test? Penn clearly perceived
that here, in that question lay the supreme
difficulty OF introducing legality into the
relations of states.
PENIS solution is largely dynastic, for
the world of his day was "a world Of
dynasties. Succession election, marriage
all these were accepted by him as title
deeds to national territory. "Self-determi-
nation" and not yet emerged into view
Then arises the difficulty that appears again
IN the discussions of to-day that "ths
strongest and richest sovereignty will never
agree to" the decisions OF this European
Diet. How meet that difficulty? Penn re-
plies: II answer, he (this upstart state) is
not stronger than all the rest, and for that
reason you should promote this Imperial
PaTliamenD and compel him into, and
especially before he be so (stronger than all
the rest), for then it will be too late to
deal with such an one"
Disarmament was, also, among his pro
posais. and TO the objections raised in his
oay' az now, he answered unhinchinglv
me proposal" he replied in his Quaint
ana simple prose, "the proposal answers for
ltseH. one has war no more than the other
In other words-for we must face unfinch-
'ng!y the full size Of tais gigantic task
all nations are to be disrrned equally M
great standing armies are 10 be allowed
with the new plan OF equitable territorial
division, She very motive for standing
armies will have disappeared. Nations viii
no more be armed than now are individual
citizens who can settle chair qnarrels by
appeals TO the law courts.
Very good" ssys the objeetor. "but how
prevent any community that is feeling
within isseh the irresistible inner strength
o. an expanding population and increasing
wealth from breaking down the fixed bar
riers Of the world? What is your Diet to
% II such state should enter, without the
leave Of your Diet, upon the road o. in.
sreas'ng arnaments?" why" answers
fenn' take the trouble in time; heck that
s'ase before 1t has grown too powerful TO
defy you.'