The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1919-08-07
SEVEN TREATY REVISIONS
OVER WHICH BATTLE RACES

stance whatever affecting interna-
tional relations in proof OF their
contention They insist that the
quoted paragraph of Article Is does
not prevent the league taking juris-
diction, if war is threatened by a dis
pute over a question whcih lies pure
! ly within the domestic jurisdiction of
one party, but to the handling of
which under such jurisdiction, the
other party seriously objects. The
immigration question is cited as an
example, While recognized by some
international law experts as purely
domestic, immigration is held by 9th
ers to have an international aspect.
League supporters, however, insist
that the definite provision OF Article
Is absolutely shuts out OF considera-
tion any domestic question, and
leaves it for settlement between the
two nations.
The fourth provision upon which a
reservation is demanded is that COW
ering withdrawal from the league
Its text follows:
Article 1-Paragraph Three)-
Any member of the league may after
two years notice of its intention to
do so, withdraw from the league, pro-
yided that all its international obllga,
tions and all its obligations under
this covenant shall have been full.
filled at the time of its withdrawal !"
The criticism here is that me pro
vision allows the league-that is, for
eign nations-to decide in the case of
the United States, whether this gov
ernment has fulfilled its obligations
The demand is that the right of the
United States to be the judge of its
own obligations and the fulfillment
of them be recognized
The reply made to this criticism is
that the provision applies not only to
the United States, but to every ma
tion in the league, and that what is
fair for one is fair for all.
Disarmament, as provided for in
Article Eight of the covenant is an
other section causing dissatisfaction,
and demand for a reservation. This
nroUfciOn roodo.
article 8.-The members of tho
league recognize that the mainten-
ance OF peace requires the reduction
of national armaments to the lowest
point consistent with national safety
and the enforcement by common ac-
tion of international obligations.
The council taking account OF the
geographical situation and circum-
stances of each state, shall formulate
plans for such reduction for the con
sideration and action of the several
governments
Such plans shall be subject to
reconsideration and revision at least
every ten years.
rAfter these plans shall have been
adopted by the several governments,
the limits of ornaments therein fixed
shall not be exceeded without the
concurrence of the council.
"The members of the league agree
that the manufacture by private en-
terprise of munitions and implements
of war is open to grave objections.
The council shall advise how the evil
effects attendant upon such manufac-
ture can be prevented, due regard
being had to the necessities of those
members of the league which are not
able to manufacture the munitions
and implements of war necessary for
their safety.
The members of the league under
take to interchange fyll and frank
Information as to the scale of their
armaments their military, naval and
ar programs and the condition of
such of heir industries as are adapt
able to war like purposes"
The criticism directed against the
article is that while it discusses dis
armament, it does not really provide
for it. The fact that the councils
function is merely that of drawing up
and submitting plan, which may be
rejected by any government, is held
by league critics to be fatal defect
in any plan designed effectively to
disarm nations.
Another criticism is that if the
United States accepts this article, it
will bind itself to accept the orders of
the council, made up of one Ameri-
can and eigh foreigners, as to the
size of the American army and navy.
Put the leagues supporters contend
that article eight goes as far towards
disarmament as the league could go,
and that nations entering the league
in good faith will make the article