Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-01-14
NATIONS LEAGUE
ISSUES PIVOT Of
PEACE NEE INC
Great Britain, Despite Earlier
Misgvings, Now Committed
to Wilson'S PIani Opponents
Are in Minority,
BY James NJ. Tuohy.
Copyright, l9IS, by the Press Publish
ing Co

1 ne .NfW 1 bTk w Otlu.b
Especial Gable Dispatch to World and
Albuquerque Journal)
Paris, Jan. 13.--The magnitude and
completely CT the problems awaiting
solution by the peace conference are
keenly realized as the time draws near
for actual meetings, and that realiza-
ton is plainly acting as an effectual
dampener toward any tendency to-
ward optimism.
Those concerned in work out the
problems are fully alive to the fact
that there is a hard row to hoe in
order to bring lasting peace and secur-
i0 to the world. The more deeply the
outlook is studied, the more profound
becomes the conviction that a league
OF nations can furnish the only certain
guarantee for the elimination in the
future of quarrels and war among the
nations.
British Side With Wilson.
This of course has been the conten-
ton of President Wilson from the out
set. Now It has become the firm con-
viction of the British government
The league of nations may be con-
sidered the first that will demand So
luton by the peace conference, at
least in outline. When agreement
shall be reached as to the general
principle. the subject may he leferred
TO committee of experts to work out
the details of operation.
Ii the peace conference should fail
to agree on the essential principles of
the league of nations the entire aspect
of the proceedings would be changed
in respect to all ether matters that
might II presented and failure TO
agree on the main issue would I'M
doubleday divest other decisions of
the conference of the universal sane
ton and authority they would possess
were league of nations to pc created
to look after their enforcement.
Opponcms in Minority.
Since both Great Britain and Amer
ica are satisfied that a league of ma
tons will be an essential condition pre-
cedent to real peace, their influence
should be able to cope with and to
overcome any opposition TO this plan
that may develop.
+ opponents OF The league plan, con-
sisting of bureaucrats and militarists
of the allied countries, affect to be-
lieye that men cannot evolve scheme
practicable enough to Justify their
entity. On the other hand. those who
feel the necessity for league are
equally confident that a plan can be
formulated which will be acceptable
to the masses of the people, regardless
of the preaching of bureaucrats and
militarists.
Perhaps the initial form of the
league may not embody all of the fea-
lures that its champions consider de-
sirable. Ii is hoped nevertheless to
set up body whose authority may
later on be extended to embrace every
feature required for complete and sat
isfactory operation It is further con-
tended that If the terms of settlement
of other problems shall develop flaws
or defects. viewed from a progressive
standpoint there will be imperative
need Of a league of nations to adjust
difficulties that may arise through
such inadequaees and thus concentrate
and assure the desired peace.
The Pivot of Conference.
A league of nations in fact, will
be the pivot on which the peace-con-
ference will turn. BY its attitude IN
relation to the league, the conference
may be and will be judged.
There seems to be no doubt that
the conference will actually open by
January Is, at the latest. 1t is ex-
pected that informal understand
ing as to forms and order of
procedure viii be reached in ad-
vance of the meeting. These prelimi-
naries need not cost much time.
There may he discussion over the
means of giving out the aaiiy record
of transactions. Should the record
merely state that certain indicated
questions were discussed. thus she'd
ding no light On the actual occur
rences in the meeting, it would be
almost useless by itself alone, as a
medium of publicity. 1t is hoped the
delegates may order sufficient expan-
sion of the proceedings to be given
out. to indicate the attitude of the
different powers to the successive pro-
posals under consideration. This
course would enable the people in all
the countries to understand the diff
ficu'ties and to learn where they
originate, and thus public opinion
could make itself felt in the promotion
of lust settlements.
Such course. moreover, would be
the most candid the powers could
follow, in response to the demand of
President Wilson for open diplomacy.