Evening journal., 1919-07-11

nels >of commerce OF unfavorable OBJ
lstructi0ns Of law or OF privilege. and
the very welcome opportunity TO Sc
cure for labor the concerted protection
OF definite International pledges OF
principle and practice.
Uniform Justice Applied.
These were not tasks which the con-
ference looked about IL 20 find and
went out OF its way 20 perform. They
were inseparable from the settlements
OF peace. They were thrust upon 1t by
circumstances which could not be over
looked. The war had created them. In
all quarters OF the world Old-esiablish-
ed relationships had been disturbed or
broken and affairs were at loose ends,
needing TO be mended or united again,
but could not be made what they were
bfOre. They had 60 be set right by
applying soma uniform principle Of JUS
tlce or enlightened expedlency. And
they could not be adjusted by merely
prescribing IN a treaty what should be
done. New states were 10 be set mp
which could not hope TO live through
\ their first period OF weakness without
assured support by the great nations
that had consented TO their creation
and won for them their Independence
"Ill-gOverned colonies could not be
put In the hands OF governments which
were 10 act as trustees for their peo-
pie and not as their masters If there
was TO be no common authority among
the nations 10 which they were TO be
responsible in the execution OF their
trust. Future international cOnven-
lions in regard TO the control OF water
I uH a. ~
many kinds, I'm arms or In deadly drugs,
or with regard to the adjustment OF
many varying international admins
trative arrangements could not be as
sured II the treaty were to provide no
permanent common international
agency, II It's execution in such matters
was to be left to the slow and uncer-
tain processes OF cooperation by
ordinary methods OF negotiation.
League Necessity.
III the Peace Conference itself was
TO be the end OF cooperative authority
and common counsel among the gov
ernments to which the world was look
ing TO enforce justice and give pledges
OF an enduring settlement, regions IKE
the Saar Basin could not be put under
temporary administrative regime
which did not involve a transfer Of
pOntical sovereignty and which con-
! templaied a final determination OF its
political connections by popular vote
10 be taken at a distant date; no free
city like Dantzig could be created
which was. under elaborate lnterna-
tiOnal guarantees, 10 accept exceptional
obligations with regard 10 use OF its
port and exceptional relations with
state Of which II was not to form
/ part; properly safegarded plebscltes
could not be provided for where popu-
latiOns were at some future date 10
make choice what sovereignty they
would live under; no certain and uni
lfOrm method Of arbitration could be
secured for the settlement OF aniicl-
pated difficulties OF final decision with
regard 10 many matters dealt with in
/ the treaty itself: the continued
supervision Of the task OF reparatiOn
which Germany was to undertake TO
complete within the next generation
might entirely break down: the recon
sideratiOn and revision OF adminisira-
tive arrangements and restrictions
which the treaty prescribed. but which
& was recognized might not prove Of
lasting advantage or entirely fair n too
long enforced, would be impracticable.
"The promises governments were
making 10 one another about the way
In which labor was TO be dealt with, by
law not only. but in fact as well, would
remain a mere humane thesis II there
was TO be no common tribunal Of opin-
ion and Judgment to which liberal
statesmen could resort for The inilu-
ences which alone might secdre their
redemption. A league OF free nations
had become a practical necessity. -EX-
anime the treaty Of peace and you will
/ find that everywhere throughout its
manifold provisions its trainers have
| felt obliged TO turn 10 the league OF ma
! tlons as an Indispensable instrumental
/ ity for the maintenance Of the new
order It has been their purpose TO set
up in the world-the world Of civilized
men.
Started With Misgiyings.
THAT there should be = league Of
nations TO steady the counsels and main
I tain the peaceful understandings OF the
world. to make, not treaties alone. but
/ the accepted principles OF international
law as well, the actual rule OF conduct
among the governments OF the world
| had been one OF the agreements az
cepted from the first as the basis OF
peace with the Central Powers. The
statesmen Of all the belligerent coun-
tries were agreed that such a league
must be created 20 sustain settlements
I that were TO be effected. But at first
] think there was a feeling among some
of them that while It might be attempt
ed. the formation Of such a league was
perhaps counsel OF perfection which
/ practical men. long experienced In the
world Of affairs, musttagree to very
cautiously and with many mlsgivings
1T was only as the difficult work Of
| arranging an all but universal adjust
ment sof the worlds affairs advanced
! from day to day from one stage OF con-
ference 10 another that It became evi-
dent 10 them that what they were
| seeking would be little more than
something written upon paper, to be in
! terpreted and applied by such methods
as the chances Of politics might make
available. II they did not provide a
means OF common council which al
were Obliged to accept, a common au-
| thorty whose decisions would be
recognized as decisions which all must
respect.
Skeptical Convinced
"And so the most practical. ihe most
skeptlcal among them turned more
and more 10 the league as the author
/ ity through which international action
was 10 be secured. the authority with
out which. as they had come TO sec
IL. Il would be dnlcult to give assured
effect either TO this treaty or to any