Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-06-28
THE P
ARTICLES xvII-xx
Nations Outside League

The object of the league is to pre-
vent war, not only among its mem
bers. but also by, against or between
nations outside of the covenant; and
Article XVII is aimed at such cases.
The outside nation engaged in a dis
pute, even If Of a character that
threatens war Is not treated as an
outlaw, but Is offered for the purpose
of the dispute the benefits as well as
the Obligations of membership in the
league. II 1t accepts the Invitation
II obtains the same protection as a
member from attack by its adversary
whether within or without the
league; and IL there Is a voluntary
submission to arbitration IL has the
same right as a member to demand
that the award be carried out. This
Is certainly treating the outsider fair
ly.
On the other hand the outsider,
whether 1t accepts the invitation or
not, is restrained from attacking a
member by the same penalties that
would be applied to a signer of the
covenant. In other words the mem
bers agree to help one another
against attacks from outside as well
as against those from one of their
W number. They could hardly do
less.
When the controversy is between
| two outsiders both are invited to join
the league for the purpose of the
dispute, and, If either of them accept,
the position is exactly that already
described. because the one accepting
has for this purpose the standing of
a member of the league. II both re-
| fuse the obligations of membership
cannot be directly applied, but hos
tilities are to be prevented, and the
council is authorized to take such
measures and make such recommen-
dations as will prevent them. Since
the council has no forces under its
orders n cannot command those of
its members without their consent,
the measures it can take must be of
a diplomatic nature, to be followed
by recommendations for the use of
force If necessary. But practically
this will not happen. because it is
highly unlikely that both of the put
side nations desire war, and the one
that does not will certainly accept
the invitation of the league.
Restraining Influences
This method Of preventing wal
with or among non-members Is both
fair and ingenious. They are sub
jected to the penalties and are offered
the benefits of membership, except
that a temporary membership gives
no consultative voice in the general
management or the league. Hence
there will be a decided advantage in
entering the league permanently, and
an inducement for every trustworthy
nation to do so. until it becomes an
association of all truly self-governing
countries to maintain the peace of
the world. Hence also the power of
expulsion, conferred upon the council
by the last clause of Article XVI, be-
comes a serious penalty that will 60
far to secure the carrying out Of ar
bitral awards and the observance of
all the other obligations of the cove
nam
No Secret Treaties
The object Of Article XVIII re-
quiring treaties or engagements to be
registered with the s~ecretariat and
published fs simply to prevent secret
treaties and especially secret military
alliances. 1t Is wholly in accord with
our national traditions. some people
have suggested that an honorable
country which has made a secret
treaty will feel bound in honor to
execute 1t, and therefore the provf-
sion that such a treaty shall not be
binding will have no effect. To this
there r two answers. First, that
an honorable country will not make
a secret treaty contrary to its agree
ment in the covenant. Second, that
in the free nations Of the league
treaties cannot practically be carried
into effect without the action of the
representative legislative bodies, and
u