New-York tribune., 1919-02-07
Police
Idea Dropped
From League
Commission Chiefly Con-
cerned With Size of Army
Each Power Will Maintain
BY Arthur S. Draper
Neao York. Tribune
Special Cable ScyUice

'PeCttu CuOtC OCfCtcG
Copyright 1919. New York Tribune Incl
FARlS, Feb. 6.-The plan for the
establishment Of an international DO
lice force, for the enforcementof the
DEGREES of the league of nations, has
been definitely abandoned by the COM
mission in charge of the league of
Nations project, and an efforpsis being
made TO reach an agreement upon the
SIZE OF the army to be maintained by
each of the league members.
There has been much discussion in
the commission of compulsory arbitra-
ton and the use of the military in
enforcing the decisions OF the league.
Another topic has been state repre-
sentation in the league and the forma-
ton of an executive body.
Will France have a standing army of
100000 men? VIII Great Britain
maintain force of 10000 or mill
ion? In the event of trouble which
state will intervcne' How vii the
spheres of responsibility be deter
mined?
| understand that beth Great Britain
and America favor radical reduction
in the size of armies, while Great
Britain also is willing to modify great
ly her naval programme.
Face Unbearable Taxation
Unless military and naval forces are
materially decreased, even if pre-war
figures ar. considered, the Fu1opean
Powers wil not emerge from their
present emf rrassing position for many
years and The burden of taxation will
become unbearab bic.
But the French must be assured If
their security before the commission
can reach an agreement to make radi-
cal reductions. The Hague conven-
tion tried unsuccessfully to put
through compulsory arbitration - a
phrase which is interpreted here as
agreement to submit all judicial ques-
tions to the League Of Nations and
promise of the members to abide by
its decisions. Among such questions
IS the readjustment Of frontiers, and
disputes over maritime rights.
Enough already has come out Of the
peace conference to arouse consider
able fear among the British conserva-
tives that Lloyd George is committing
Great Britain to a programme of so
radical nature as to alter the whole
structure of the British Empire.
:: They are heartily dissatisfied with
the developments relative to the colo
mai question They fear the navy will
be greatly reduced. They arg worried
over indemnities
Afraid of Substitute
They sec the complete abandonment
OF the balance OF power policy, and
they are afraid of It's substitutes. To
them Mr.. Wilson and Lloyd George be-
come equally dangerous.
There IS no denying that a similar
view Is held by considerable body
OF French opinion. They present the
antlthesis OF Mr.. Taft's views, He
says the league should establish and
MAINTAIN government of the German
colonies, while the conservatives would
the Allies. ~
What is perfectly clear is that both
Mr.. Wilson and Lloyd George will meet
strong. opposition in their respective
countries-one because the league is
not powerful enough, the other because
it is too powerful
Meanwhile, the British and American
leaders are pushing through a pro-
gramme which will unite their coun-
tries tighter than would have been nos
slbic under any pre-war alliance.
President Wilson and his colleapues
are holding nightly sessions in the
hope of reaching a speedy agreement
upon the draft of the league, which is
to be presented to the peace confer
ence. Considerable progress has been
made, and it is possible that the Anal
draft will be ready by Saturday.
Task Falls on Britain and U. s.
Most of the constructive work is be-
ing done by the British and Americans.
the French, Italians and Japanese as
suming a critical or neutral attitude.
according to whether the interests OF
their respective countries are directly
involved,
Upon President Wilson. Colonel
House. Lord Cecil and General smutz
falls the chief task Of constructing
the draft, although the French repre-
sentatives frequently offer constructive
suggestions.
Mr.. Wilson and Mr.. Lloyd George
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