Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-02-03
Nations to Have Mill
tary Force Only for
Internal Needs.
COMMON UNDERSTANDING :
ON ALL MATTERS REACHED
Bt OLIVER OWEN KUHN.
STAN Correspondent of The star.

Dfss f<n " " I-t N II "
sfaff Correspondent of The star.
PARIS, February 2.-When Presi-
dent Wilson returns to Washington he
VIII be able to announce 60 Congress
and TO America definite agreement
Tor a league of nations. Within
period of ten days binding pacts will
nave been effected between the five
powers and the smaller nations in the
peace conference. This assurance has
been given me on the highest
authority.
Serious difficulties that we're expected
as to effecting agreements between the
nations and In reconciling certain
purely nationalistic ideas as may have
prevailed before the conference began
10 fade away under the common under
standing and the desire really to make
safe the welfare OF ALI mankind. The
larger powers show spirit of unselfsh-
ness in concessions one to the other
All realize that if the peoples of the
earth would be protected from war
orgies there must be unity now.
Big Powers in Accord.
Representatives of the five powers
are working shoulder to shoulder 10
bring the league into actual being at
the earliest possible moment This
desire also is reflected by the repre-
sentatiyes of the smaller nations. who
see in such a league the only salva-
tion of spiritual and material prog
resS.
A definite agreement has been reach-
ed that there shall be a general dis
armament, the nations retaining only
such military forces as are necessary
for their internal needs In this there
have been ridden down prejudces OF
several European governments. though,
strangely, this is the one thing de-
manded by the people of Europe them
selves, who are weary unto death OF
the onerous burdens imposed upon
them by the enforced maintenance ef
tremendous armaments. This duty
would be doubly irksome in the future
owing TO financial burdens Of the past
war. suspicion of each other and fears
lest any peace pact might be trampled
into dust by obstreperous nations, as
in 1914. have caused some confereee
loathness. But as the league of ma
tions plan begins to unfold objections
are gradually losing weight. 1t is also
decided that any nation opposing the
dictates of the league shall at once
be subject to economic pressure from
all other powers, and then, despite
this. should the objecting nations at
tempt to wage war without having
first turned to the league as arbiter,
this nation will be subject TO punish-
ment by such allied military forces as
will be placed at the disposal of the
league.
Force as Final Resort.
II is generally agreed, however that
military force shall be used only as
final resort in any emergency 1t il
believed that such economic pressure
as can be eXerted will be sufficient.
Abandonment of the idea predicating
the settlement of world affairs on
military force lis victory for President
Wilson. who refuses to countenance
any such system. In connection with
the question of ending burdens of
militarism, the anti agree.
ment as now modified points to per-
mitting the powers TO resort to con-
scription only when imperative in
policing.
Submarines are absolutely outlawed
dS lHSlI uIlCilS OL war tnTOuRn the
agreements reached. With the men,
ories of hideouS uses to which Ger
mans placed the submarines there
was no dissension whatever on this
point
AS to the machinery of the league.
there is debate. various ideas being
proposed. That the league should be
permanent living thing, with the
organization sitting as a continuous
power in shaping world problems
llNr ..
powers undoubtedly will control the
workings of the league. Smaller ma
tlons viii be permitted repre- seuta-
tlon, but no system giving any one
small nation equal voice in decisions
fthe league will be permitted. mas
might selfishly dictate policies admit
tedly against the best interests of the
whole world.
Will Protect Small Nations.
The question of representation stin
is seriously considered and shortly the
problem will have emerged from the
realm of negotiation. In all cases.
however adequate steps have been
taken to preserve the rights of
smaller nations. Many points which
it was supposed would be incorporate
ed in the constitution Of any league
W
but left for the jurisdiction of the
league itself Through this agreement
many difficulties which otherwise
would have been encountered IN per-
fecting the league disappear and
hasten final action. Though the league
primarily was inspired by President
Wilson, who has insisted that upon it
settlement and perpetuation of ami
cable world relations hinge. 1t cannot
be said that the draft soon TO be an
nounced is entirely his handiwork.
All powers had voice in shaping its
and purposes. but ideas of
President Wilson and Lloyd George
have dominated such decisions already
reached
Has Made Much Progress.
Having broken the back of larger
questions confronting the peace con=
ference through a general agreement
on main points of league of nations
and the mandatory scheme for Ger
man colonies. agreements which will
help solve multitudinous minor ques-
tions the conference enters "A new
phase and rapid strides are expected
during the week toward completing
the league of nations plan and in
meantime committees assigned to
investigate territorial
boundary and racial disputes, which
have befogged the conference will
be well into work on way TO scenes
of investigation
While committees are at work ffe
Leading members big five viii engage
only in shaping the larger
plans of conference and hasten the date
!. hen the German delegates can be
called in for the final parleys. - II
must not be presumed that speedy 6nnl