The sun., 1919-01-10
SAYS LEAGUE MUST.
COME AFTER PEACE
Editor Of "Figaro" Declares
All DiscOrd Must First Be
Cleared Away.
ECONOMIC FORCE POTENT
Allied Control Of Commodities
May Prove Most Effective
"WOrld Police"
ny II. wICKHAM sTEED.
ss~,oi cable Despatch to The suS from {

sp~1oi cable Despatch to The suS from the
London Times Service
Copyright 1919: oil rfohss reserved
PANS, Jan. with the arrival OF
Lord Robert Cecil the question OF giving
concrete form to the league OF nations
deal is becoming prominent. The atti-
tude OF French official circles toward the
IDEAL was Enthusiastically put forward
to-day by Alfred Capus, the eminent
academician who edits the Figaro. He
treats as fundamental error the idea that
workable league of nations Is already
within reach. and argues that before It
can be established all isunderstandings
between nations must be dispelled. all
causes OF war removed and international
law universally recognised The league
Of nations, ne adds, must be a culminat-
Ing product of peace. but not the cru
cible in which elements now discordant
can be fused.
II accepted. this view would he tanta-
mount to the polite shelving Of the whole
question, and this is now recognized by
an Increasing number Of unofficial and
soma official Frenchmen to be the conse-
ouence OF inadequate perception of pres
ent realities.
An important section of French opin-
ion represented by the Association
Francais Pour lie Societe des Nations.
Of which Leon Bourgeois is president,
recognizes that unless the formation OF
nucleus league or nations be taken in
hand at the outset of the conference
there may be little chance of dealing
successfully with the long list OF terri
torial. financial and economic problems
which In the order named are under
stood to form the basis o; the French
offcial programme.
Differences Merely Formal.
Unless have been misinformed the
differences between his view and those
Of most influential British American
supporters OF the ideal are merely for
ma. He believes and would insist that
the allied Governments must begin by
the organization OF a league among
themselves. and their articles OF asso-
citation must then be Imposed upon en-
envy and neutral peoples. who will be
obliged to conform TO the requirements
OF the league, give guarantees OF good
faith qualify for admission by fulfil
nent OF all the requirements and obliga-
tons OF the peace treaty.
In other words. the view is gaining
ground that II the allied peace confer
ence Is successful 1t will never end, be-
cause the problems OF which the hnal
solution must be outstanding when the
general principles OF peace are settled
will necessarily be dealt with by per-
manent supernatural authority into
which the successful peace conference
Will ultimately resolve itself.
II becomes clearer that the DELAY In
me meeting Of the conference will not be
without its compensations. 1t has given
time for distinct capitalization of opiu-
ion in two directions. OF first impor-
lance IS the steady growth OF the con-
vict!on that league of nations is really
practicable and not merely an IDEAL
which could do no harm but which might
do good. The establishment of a super
rational authority not only for the pre-
rention OF war, but for the control of
certain branches of international inter-
course during peace has become me first
object Of nearly every one.
Economic Side Important,
The second development Is the increas-
Ing scrutiny given to the economic side
Of the problem of world reconstruction.
TeallxeQ
that perhaps the greatest change war
has wrought is indicated BY the inas-
tency with which its aftermath demands
The establishment of a new international
fabric upon a sound social basis. at least
as much as upon a sound political and
Judicial basis
The best sign Of this is the agreemen,
reached between the associated Powers
for the reconstruction of interallied war
olg TO- tnt,,
under the auspices of a new Joint council
Il ia to consist OF two representatives
OF each OK the great associated Powers
The chief executive Is Herbert c.
Hoover. Hoover was chosen partly or
sc;ount OF his tried ability and partly
because the main sources of supply mus,
IN the nature OF things be transatlantic
The undertaking WILL however. be inte-
allied In the sense that II must largely
cepeuc on the measure Of sacrifice tho
Allies, especially Great Britain. are pre-
pared 10 make, notably with regard =
tonnage. for the benefit of their less for
tlnateiy situated friends in western ant
sull more in central Europe.
Food to Dispel Anarchy.
Economy in tonnage will be needed
because il Is not probable the German
ships will nearly relieve the presen
htlNgenCy of freight space. 1t IL pointed
out in quarters whose views are worth
consideration that upon the council
which will of course be responsible fo
the feeding Of neutral and enemy coun
'r!es, must TO no small extent devolv,
the task Of trying to exercise by foo
the menace of Bolshevism from centra
and eastern Europe and no time shout,
De lost IN getting TO work.
But the speedy operation of the new
interallEcd food machine Is by no mean
the sole requisite for the preservation o
Europe from the threatened undermining
~ her social fabric. There will be ap
prsEe0Tnl and disappointment In quar-
ters NJ sound judgment II the process !
rot carried further than that.
The economic machinery Of ASSOCIATED
powers dealt during the war with man,
things besides food and controlled ship
ping and raw materials OF nearly ever
sort II Is hoped by those who regar
ell that goes by the name OF Bolshevisr
ss the most important thing that tn
Conference has to consider that this ma
cH'rery also will be adapted to the need
o. European reconstruction.
Release should BE Gradual.
T. regard not only TO foOdstuns bu
as 20 textiles, leather, timber. fuel an
certain minerals II is felt that the re
noral Of interallied control should b
gradual. so that those countries tn
worst hit by the war should at least b
Pa'eguarded while rebuilding themselve
from the possibility OF being forced
Jay more for essential imports not onl
Lac t.W.A mi