New-York tribune., 1919-02-15
skilf"I Diplomacy Alone
Saved Society of Nations
Draft From Waste Basket
lts Foes Now Uphold 1t
Hard Feelings Disappear as
Envoys Of AL! Powers III
dorsc Completed Charter

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Prcss) Now that the project for the
creation of league Of nations, which
was the principal object of the gather
ing of the representatives. of most of
the states of the world which arc not
in arms against the Entente, has been
successfully launched, it may be proper
to tell Of some of the difficulties en-
countered and to indicate The status of
some Of the great issues remaining to
be adjusted by the peace conference.
While there was unanimity as to the
desirability of a league of nations it
soon developed that some of the dele
gates, skeptical of its immediate eff
cheney, desired to maintain the old
order of balances of power and pro-
tected frontiers until the new system
had demonstrated its capacity to meet
the needs of peace-loving nations
Patient endeavor and many long ses-
slons of the supreme council itself, and
afterwards of the special commission
created to deal with the subject were
necessary to establish to the satisfac-
ton of these threatened dissenters the
impossibility of continuing the old
order while installing the new.
In fact, it was only within the last
week that the difficulties facing the
league of nations were overcome, all
though with some misgivings, it is true
The doubling nations we're induced to
try the experiment of relying upon the
konor and common interest of the
other nations to insure the success of
the project.
Many Heated Arguments
Then there was the difference over
the question of mandataries for back
ward peoples. Rather heated argu-
ments developed at times, but these
differences were also adjusted with
unanimity in the end
Various big issues presented them
selves. some of which were skilfullv
diverted to commissions, which are to
report afterward to the league of ma
tions, while others were rather sud
denly disapproved in the light of the
development Of the plan for the league
of nations.
or such was the vescd question of
freedom of the seas which jeopardized
the support Of Great Britain.
No Hard Feelings Remain
1t was realized that with a perfect
league of nations there would be no
neutrals. and that, consequently. no
questions could arise as to freedom of
thc seas IN time of war, while in time
OF peace equitable relations between
nations were guaranteed by special
provisions of the covenant.
Finally, after these discussions were
over, 1t can be stated that no hard
lecllngs renamed. There was absolute
unanimlty, so far as the special COM
mission was concerned, that those ma
tlons which at first had doubted the
cIhcioncy Of the project came out of
inc discussions in an attitude OF it's
irmest advocates
Looking to the future. the special
commission attaches much importance
to the provision made for the admis-
SION TO the league of neutral or late
enemy SLdlcS.
Motives Must BE Proper
The latter are known to be anxious
TO adhere. but the commission has
taken every precaution to make sure
that they enter with proper motives
and prepared to live up to the obi
cations of the league.
he point was made that such ad
hcslon should be encouraged. as it was
nightly desirable, having at heart the
interest Of the whole world. that tho
industries OF late cnemy states and
neutral countries which suffered from
the blockade be set in motion at the
earliest possible moment.
This decision was not based upon
sympathy for Germany, but upon the
absolute conviction that the safety Of
continental Europe, and perhaps of the
whole world. depended upon turning
the German population into wavs Of
industry. so that it might be able to
produce goods to pay off the enormous
lndemnities to be imposed upon it. II
was the conviction that othe rwse Ger
many might soon drift into the con
dition of Russia and that there would
be no responsible government with
which the peace treaty could be con
cluded. In that case it would be neces-
sary for the peace congress to con
tinue indefinitely in existence. await