The sun., 1919-01-19
STATE BAR WANTS
LIGHT ON LEAGUE
william ID. Guthrie Warns
Against Being Dragged Into
EurOpe's Quarrels.
FOR FREEDOM OF ACTION
Sanctity and Value Of Treaties
More Firmly Fixed
Than Before.

About the sharpest criticism that has
learue OF nations at the peace confer
ergc was voiced yesterday by James NJ
Beck at the close of the annual meeting
o. the state Bar Association. He was
the LIST Of four dobaters. the others be-
inE William D. Guthrie, ex-Judge A. T.
Clearwater OF Kingston and Frederic r
C,"d,-t The chairman was Charles E.
HUGHES.
The members OF the association con-
tesscl themselves so much in the dark
rs 20 what may como out OF the peace
conference that they laid aside the reso-
luton presented by the committee on
arbitration, Of which Everett p. Wheeler
Is chairman. which read:
"RcSolred That this association re-
peat IS previous declaration in favor of
the cst7 hlishment OF a league OF nations
with an international court, with provi-
sru FOR partial disarmament and for an
International police which shall have
power to enforce the decisions Of the
International court"
Substitute Resolution.
To~ this was substituted a resolution
off ny Mr.. Guthrie:
"Roeo'red, That whilst this assoc!a-
ton ldheres to its approval heretofore
eN.rCssrd OF the settlement of the prin-
cr'a- and rules of International law by
agreement through conventions. confer
e"c's or leagues Of nations. as well rs
tn creation OF permanent court of
arl ira, Justice and permanent council
o. OSCILLATION for the hearing and deter
mining OF International disputes. it is
~ prepared to express Its Judgment
upon any one or more OF the various
r.'s for a league Of nations which may
t- urged upon the peace conference at
T.-', ana must withhold any action
t.s's.n until the terms and provisions
e, 'Ne plan finally recommended and
urged by the American representatives
a. fully published"
Mr. Guthrie said In part:
The peace conference meets to-day IN
Pa-.e for the first time In full attend
p'.". Our minds must at once turn to
''e IN expressing and perhaps all en-
b. ing subject of league of nations
- Ie taken up by It. and we must realize
tei the principal terms and provisions
o. this proposed league. which may Ak
tie future foreign policy and perhaps
de'e'mine the internal policy of our
country and immeasurahly affect its
des;inles. have not yet been disclosed
H':.e there is unavo!dably much
va-aeress and uncertainty as to the
coeerate questions Of international law
'h we are now called upon to con-
sdtr
The phrase league OF nations Is In
drHnite and elastic In and of itself II
~ IS nothing. But it now covers gen.
O. iy innumerable plans which agree
IN Few particulars and vary from one
Extreme TO the other
The force Of circumstances compels
US TO recognize that some form OF
,e.-ue % MONS should be created by
tie pending peace conference The
President has at least committed us to
such a league. II may be limited to
'N7G the terms OF peace and formu-
I.ng covenants and guarantees for
tier observance. while also settling i'm
1."'Rnt and far reaching questions of
..arnational law. or It may go very fa-
b. o7d this; but whatever it's terms and
r. sion may be it will certainly effect
o"' tin!es and the destinies of our
c u. beneflcently or injuriously as
e. .cnce alone can demonstrate.
Hope of Senate Approval.
let us trust that the league. as It
terence, will be so constituted that it will
tempt 10 commit us so far that II
carrot command the approval of the
;. 90. whose advice and consent the
! ~s OF our national Constitution
: .ly provided must be obtained before
'. nation should be committed and its
IT,. and honor pllghted in and by
t."'.as with other nations.
..N'er the form or name OF a league
= Ions infinite good may undoubt-
f.. us accomplished by the pending
:. Conference. 1t can permanently
'.' many extremely difficult and deli
cN' questions OF international law re-
i''"G 20 the powers OF belligerents, the
t'r's NJ neutra'e the so-called freedom
O. '-~ seas IN peace and war. blockade,
C.''a'and, search, seizure. reprisal.
I which have arisen during the past
'''- and a half years and which the
aren't interests and future peace
FIJI. .alplnesc of mankind demand shall
/ .w authoritatively adjusted
These questions may be OF vital I'M
- GUt TO us in the future whether