Great Falls daily tribune., 1919-03-31


to the lowest point with the national
safety of each member.
The former senator advocated definite
arrangements in the covenant TOR Keep
ing international law up to date and for
revision Of the instrument itself. by pro-
vision for conference Of the signatory
powers on the former subject within two
to five years, and on the latter question
five to 10 years hence. One Of the
leagues weaknesses, in its present draft,
he declared, was it's failure to assure
perpetuation Of the progress of present
and past generations in the development
and application of international law. he
saw the objection in the immediate fu-
ture in the light of an alliance OF ap,,
proximately one-half the active world
against or for the control of the other
half.
In view of the uncertainty as to when
or upon what terms the central or east
ern powers are to be admitted to the
league, he contended that the initial
obligations of the members must not be
regarded as irrevocable and favored its
revision. when the world is less hubject
to existing and disturbing causes. and
at the time of revision, or thereafter,
upon a years notice, he said, any mem
Der should have the right to withdraw.
Protect Territorial Integrity.
Mr. Roots study of the covenant
Clause committing the signatories ito
respect and preserve as against external
aggression the territorial integrity and
existing political independence of all
members Of the league" had led him on
first impression, he stated, to believe
that the article should be stricken out.
If perpetuated, he added it would be fu-
tile, in that it would attempt to preserve
for all time "the distribution of power
and territory made in accordance with
the views and exigencies of the allies iE
the present juncture Of affairs" On sec
ond thot, however, the former secretary
declared, he had become convinced that
the article should be considered in ref
erence to the present situation in Eu-
rope.
Allied council must determine lines of
reconstruction and enforce its determl-
nation.
Guarantee Of Independence.
with Great Britain, France. Italy
and Belgium, whose populations are less
than 13O,O0O,O0O confronted with the
vigorous and warlike peoples of Ger
many, German-Austria, Hungary. Bull
garia. Russia and Turkey. numbering
80 100000 and fast returning to bar
barism and the lawless violence of bar
barous races" Mr.. Root asserted ''the
United States cannot stop. 1t must go
on with the performance of its duty" 1t
For this reason he advocated the re-
tention of article 10, guaranteeing the
independence of all the league members,
with the reservation that after five years
any signatory may withdrawn from the
obligation.
The former secretary stated that the
senate was not convened. Immediately af
ter March 4, ito perform its duty" of
discussing the project. pointing out that
with the president and Secretary Ian
sing members of the American delegation
there would be no executive official to
supervise the negotiations from the usu-
al vantage point of the president and
secretary of state passing upon the work
of snbordinates attending an information
al council.
Settlement Of Disputes.
The former secretary's suggested
amendments, annexed to his letter to
Chairman Hays follows:
1-Strike out article NH (reiating
to arbitration) and insert the following ::
The high contracting powers agree to
refer to the existing permanent court
Of arbitration at The Hague. or to the
court of arbitration of justice proposed
at the second Hague conference when es-
tabiished. or to some other arbitral tri-
bunal. all disputes between them Gnclud-
ing those affecting honor and vital in
terests) which are of a justifiable char
acter. and which the powers concerned
have failed to settle by diplomatic meth
DDS. The powers so referred to arbi-
m ot,. ofr
to the award Of the tribunal
Disputes of a justifiabe character are
defined as disputes as to the interpre-
tatlon OF treaty. as to any question
or international law, as TO the ex-
existence of any fact which il establish
ed would constitute a breach of any in
ternational obligation. or as to nature
and extent Of the reparation to be made
for any such breach.
Any question which NAV arise as to
whether dispute is of a justifiable
character is to be referred for decision
to the court OF arbitral justnce when
constituted. or. until it is constituted. to
the existing permanent court of arbitra-
ton at The Hague
Conference Of Review.
Add to article XIV the following
paragraph: "e
ihe executive council shall call a GEN
eral conference of the powers to meet
NOT less than two years or more than
hve years after the signing OF this CON
vention for the purpose of reviewing the
condition OF international law. and of
agreeing upon and stating in a autbori-
tative form the principles and rules
Thereafter regular conferences for
that purpose shall be called and held at
stated times. Ne'' d.
5CImmediatcly before the s;pn,ture
OF the American delegates. insert the
following reservation: 'A'
Ina smuch as in becoming a member &c
!he league the United States Of Amer;ca
Is moved by no interest or wish to in.
trude upon or interfere With the nolitica,
pohcy or internal administration az onv
ioreign state. and by no existing o- an.
tinpated dangers in the affairs of the
american continents. but accedes to Tho
wish OF the European states that il sbaI,
JOIN It's power to theirs for the nrcxer-
vation OF general peace. the representa-
tives OF the United States of America
sign this convention with the understand
ing that nothing therein contained shall
be construed to imply n REIMBURSEMENT
q 4