The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-01-09
The LEAGUE FIRST
Lord Robert Cecil Says Should
Be Initial Move.
Organize One Before Taking
Up Problems of Peace.

I Paris, Jan. S.-Robert Cecil, who
has arrived here with the first Sec
ton of the British speace delegation.
expressed the opinion to the Assoc
ciated i'ress that definite organization
of q league of nations is indispensable
as a first step toward the conclusion
of that enduring peace and a satisfac-
togy settlement of interpational prob
lens which have arisen out of the war
Lord Robert made it clear that his
statements were personal views and
not an attempt to give the views OF
the British government.
''In my opinion a league of nations
is necessary as the initial step in the
peace negotiations" said Lord Robert.
1T is not only necessary to insure
peace but also for the proper treat
ment of many international questions
which must be considered by the peace
congress. Joint international action
in an organized and recognized form is
necessary in order to relieve millions
of people who are at this moment
destitute of food and other necessaries
of life owing to the unsettled condition
of the world: to regulate permanently
many vital common interests such as
International railways, posts, water
ways. telegraph and wireless. the use
of the air. public health, the protec-
ton of women and juveniles in indus
try: and to discharge adequately and
justly tne responsiveness OF the great
civilized nations in such a great mat
ter as the protection and guidance of
backward peoples.
ut Is the sum of these recognized
joint activities. interests and RESPONSE
hilIties that we call by the name of
league of nations
1t Is Our Business.
FIT is our Isiness to give this league
definite form here and now" Lord
Robert 81 aay in fo1 ha
ne has little sympathy with the. view
that the peace congress may gradually
drift into a prolonged session which
will ultimately become a league of ma
tons without being definitely and
positively organized.
81 agree that this congress must re-
gard itself as the first regular meeting
of the nations forming the league" he
So id, but 1 think 1t would be a
dangerous policy to let the peace con-
gress drift along aimlessly without
reaching a positive organization of a
league of nations. Leaving things open
is hazardous and gets one nowhere.
This impresses me as being time
for the creation of a body which will
be effectively organized and not al
lowed to drop into inaction- We are.
moreover, anxious not to commit the
democrat peoples to responsibilities
they are not prepared deliberately
and consciously to accept. 1t is, there
fore. important to avoid vagueness
and to define our position clearly and
openly"
Asked how far armaments can be
limited by a league of nations, Lord
Robert replied: tt'-l
Most Difficult Problem.
'That, in my opinion, is probably
the most difficult problem the peace
congress will face. Before national
governments had effective police or
ganization it was impossible to pre-
vent individuals from carrying, arms
to protect themselves against outlaw
ry. Laws against carrying of fire
arms could not be enforced until the
necessity for carrying them ceased to
exist.
$50 it is with the league. Individ-
ual nations will partly be willing to
disarm until they are sure of peace
and justice thru the operation of the
league. Moreover, how can any limita-
ton of ornaments be actually en-
forced? What assurance can we have
for. instance that Germany will not
createAn army more or less secretly