New-York tribune., 1919-02-16

sioh ARISES. ms would De the pest
check against any i'll design.
"lf the would-be aggressor knows
that resistance is fully prepared
against any action such as he eontem-
plates, then he will be restrained
Where, on the other hand, he knows
that no such preparation exists and
that sudde naction on his part would
encounter no prepared and we'll
thought-out resistance, perhaps he
would not be restrained and it woulc
be extremely dangerous.
Demands World Police
"lf you do not wish to see the terri
bic ordeal through which the world has
passed renewed in the future, we ought
to have permanent organization to
prepare the military and naval means
of execution and make them ready in
case of emergency.
This has been objected to by some
of the members of the committee, be-
cause it would involve some difficult
constitutional problems. This is why
we have agreed to the text without
that amendment. But we think the
principle of that proposed amendin ent
ought to be put before public opinion
al the same time ss the scheme to
which we have agreed.
Il hope no one, either here or any
where in the world, Will be mistaken
about my intention. | will not say, and
| have not said, a word that could
weaken the feeling of our complete and
hearty unanimity. We have acted with
one heart for the triumph of the cause
which is that of our conference, the
cause of right against violence, the
cause of right against might
HAo be1ioUo that tbi Srb a,,oo 4bo+
now before us is an excellent one. We
believe in its virtues and its possibili-
ties. The observation we have made
on some points will, we hope, be of
some value in the further discussions,
since we are at the beginning of the
examination of the whole plan.
"Now, we must, at the end, express
our deep gratitude toward our col
leagues, and our deep gratitude toward
President Wilson, who presided over
our labors in such a competent way
and with such high spirit, and we wish
still more to express the sincere wish
becomes, possibly with some improve
ment on the two points ] have men
toned, the law of nations"
Meets British Labor's Favor
George Nicoll Barnes, Labor mem
Der Of the British delegation to the
peace conference, said:
"Mr. President: As representing es-
pecially the working folk of Great
Britain, just want to make very
few observations. think | know the
mind Of the British people on this
question of league of nations, and
can assure you that it is one of eager
expectancy.
"The people of Great Britain have
shouldered their burden during the
war, but through all its struggles and
sacrifices they have looked eagerly for
ward to the day when aggressive war
shall be no more. That day is dawn
ing, and, | believe, has been hastened
by the work of the last month. To my
mind, Mr.. President there are three
outstanding principles in this docu-
ment, which, | believe, will stand out
Conspcuously as landmarks in the his
tory of mankind.
"First of all, the substitution of an
altruistic principle for imperialism and
violence in the adjustment of interna-
tional affairs. Nations which have suf-
fercd and sacriticed in the acquisition
of territory have agreed to the over
seership of the league of nations iii the
administration of that territory.
nPy nave luIIleI dSIGc 10 tuG
principle that the welfare and assent
of the peoples shall be the determine
ing consideration in its administration.
"Therc is in this agreement, Mr..
Pres dent, to my mind, a great advance
in the application of the principle Of
moral idealisln, and ! can only say that
believe that that will strike the mag
ination Of the world.
Wants Armament Reduced
Second, they have agreed in prin-
ciple on the reduction of armaments to
q point of national safety as prescribed
by the league of nations. This be-
licve to be the essential feature of the
condition OF permanent peace. If there
be IN excess Of guns there will always
be a chance of them being fired off.
am, therefore, glad that in this docu-
ment provision is made for the reduc-
tion of armaments, thereby, ] believe,
]esscnng the risk of war and easing
the economic burden upon the people.
"The third is a principle to which |
wish to call the attention of the sigma
tories to this document. They have
agreed to a recognition of the evils of
private profit in the manufacture of
ornaments, although, for my part, ]
should like to have seen a more robust