The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1919-04-28
Discussion Of It Has Been Toe Vague
and General; Parts Of II Good,
Parts Of 1t Bad. Educator
Declares
(Nicholas Murray Butler Criticizes
and Praises League
(By H. p. Burton.)

would be more helpful and guiding il
It were more precise and definite.
Nicholas Murray Butler, president of
Columbus University, and noted
peace advocate, told me today.
In terse and pointed sentences he
summed up the good and bad fea-
lures OF the covenant, criticizing it as
whole.
Vague" general" wretchedly
drawn" BADLY arranged and
"clumsily expressed" are his charges
against parts of the league draft and
the covenant itself.
The draft of Article VIII-reduc-
ton of ornaments and a limitation
J upon the manufacture of the imple
ments Of war and munitions by pri-
vate Enterprises Every, very gen
eral and may mean much or nothing"
DR.. Butler declared.
Summing UP the good points and
the bad points, he gave me the fol-
lowing:
LET us look first at its strong
points. They are these:
Il. That it is based upon the al
lance of a group of free people who
have fought war for the highest
principle and that it perpetuates and
strengthens their alliance. This Is
vital for further progress. Indeed, II
the allied powers for term Of wears
undertook the administration of tbs
derelict nations, and those who have
been at war against us. as receivers
in bankruptcy, with view to getting
the best possible results for th'
world as whole, 1t would be yer!
happy consummation of our a1xiet,
and troubles.
SO. That it provides real and eff
fective organs for international cor
situations, international findings an
international recommendations.
II IS. That it recognizes information
al responsibility for other matter
than law, including conditions Of la
Dor and interests of the more remot
and backward races of the world.
II "a. That it includes cogenar
which, IL faithfully lived up to, wi
make international war difficult nc
impossible, through affordng time 70
inquiry and consultation before a
| overt act is committed.
| ION the other hand the weak point
of the draft plan are serious. The
are these:
Il. The wretched workmanshi
and the clumsy and unclear languae
of the document. 1t reads as if
had been written and put together |
a man running to catch train.
"2. It's quiet ignoring of the gre
progress made in the information
relations during the past 20 yeal
particularly in outlining the organic
ton of an international court of ju
a tice and in fixing the jurisdiction a
! authority of such court. In the drs
/ plan there is too much provision
discussion by delegates or diploma
| and too little provision for judic
I determination of issues. This will {
1 courage International trading rati
| than strengthen the cause of inter-
l tional Justice.
y "s. There is no clear provision
A the codif1cation of international |
| and agreement upon rules of int
IA national conduct: these to be ameI
III ed and extended from time to Ii
ii as conditions may suggest or may
ii inand.
II "a. It is not made clear that
II mastic policies of the several h
II contracting parties are not to be
Ia terferred with by the organs OF
League or made subject to
IL Leagues control. This defect co
Is be remedied by the addition of
ii short bill Of rights, to provide bri
Id that domestic policies Of the highc
IH tracing powers are not in any =