Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-02-16
The Leagues Executive Council.

peace conference FRIDAY by freSloehi
Wilson the real power is practically
vested in the executive council. con-
sisting of representatives of nine ma
tons. Five of these nations are desig-
mated as permanent members of the
council, the vietors in the great war,
Great Britain, Franco, Italy, Japan and
: the United States. The others will be
named from time TO time by the gen
eral delegate body representing all the
member states. 1t is plain that for
all practical purposes the five great
powers will shape the policies and &c
termine the modes of action for the
league. Such is the course in virtually
all cases. It is assured that the powers
possessing the means that in the ex-
treme emergency of physical enforce
ment will be used for the preservation
of peace or the punishment OF those
that violate the principles to which the
member states stand pledged will have
the authority as well as the responsible
ity of decision and action.
1t is we'll to examine the covenant
with respect to the specific functions
of the executive council. which, as sug-
gested, win be dominated by the FIVE
great powers. The council is empower
ed to act as follows:
To name the secretary general and
by confirmation of his appointees con
troll the administrative organization.
To meet at least once year and as
frequently as occasion may require.
To formulate plans for the reduc-
tfon of ornaments.
To determine, for consideration and
action of the several member govern
ments, the size and proportion of ma
tional ornaments.
To advise how the evils Of private
manufacture Of munitions may be
checked or prevented.
To advise upon the means by which
the obligation to respect the terri
torial integrity and political independ-
enee of member states shall be full
filed, in case of aggression, threat or
danger
To consider any circumstances AZ
fecting international intercourse which
threaten to disturb the peace.
To inquire into disputes between
members, following arbitration, with
report within six mouths after sub
EMISSION.
To propose steps for carving out
awards in cases Of dispute.
To formulate plans for a permanent
court of international justice.
To investigate disputes between
members not submitted to arbitration
and recommend settlements; in ease of
. unanimous Judgment the award to be
FINAL and binding; if not unanimous, to
be published and referred to the body
Of Delegates.
To recommend what effective force
the member states shall contribute to
wage war against member state
guilty of breach of the covenant pro-
viding for the submission of disputes
to arbitration or adjudication by the
executive council.
To determine the conditions upon
which non members may accept the
obligations Of membership for the pur-
poses Of adjudicating disputes between
themselves and members or themselves
and other non-members.
To institute inquiry into the facts
and merits Of the disputes in such
cases and 10 recommend action.
To take action and make recon-
msndations to prevent hostilities and
settle disputes in case non-members
refuse to accept invitations 80 extend
ed
To define in special acts or charters
the degree of authority, control or ad-
ministration to be exercised by man
datory powers in the case of colonial
territories, taken over from former
enemy powers.
Such are the comprehensive func-
tions Of the executive council, vesting
it with the power to initiate action, to
institute and conduct inquiries, tc
recommend modes Of conducting punt.
tive --oeedure, to charter manufactures
to arbitrate disputes, directly or as q
court Of appeals. While in some casei
the council is limited to suggestion
and proposal to the delegate body Of
representatives of all the states, ths
1T that tbs smaller body in itsel,
Constitutes the most influential and
yso1tial part Of the larger body il
VezoWl assurance that such proposal!
~ recommendations will be adopted
Finally, the power of preliminar,
medication Of all proposed amend
meats 70 the constitution of the league
ID nnliooo 70 vested in the states rep
rsesnesd ON the executive council. Ii
lie event Of disapprovai by them pre-
suna4ay the amendments fail. II ap
yesvsd By the council member state
anandmsuts become effective when rat
- b. three fourths Of al the mem
~ s1atss. Thus, in effect, the fv,
/ ysusss constituting the executive eoun
a91Dvs Q veto power upon all amenda
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