The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-07
SHUTS. IDEAS
DRAFTED INTO
LEAGUE PLAN
World Ripe for Greatest
Step Forward, South
African Leader Says.
BINDING PEACE SOUGHT
International Boycott a
Penalty for Making War
Is Urged.

The plaa OF Gen. Jan c. SHUTS, the
South African statesman and soldier,
for League Of Nations is one of the
most notable proposed at the Peace Con-
ference, and many OF its distinguishing
and salient points have been incorpo-
rated into the fnal draft that is now
being shaped at Versailles.
The text of Gen. Smuts's concept, pub
lished In the February issue OF the
Nstton, by special arrangement with the
author, follows:
although have had to give the sub
sect Of the League of Nations a good
deaf OF consideration. this short sketch
Of It has been hastily written at the
last moment, and amid other pressing
duties. in view Of tho early meeting OF
The Peace Conference. My object In
writing It has been threefold.
I'm the first place, wish to help in
the formation of public opinion on what
viii undoubtedly be the most important
and FAR reaching OF all the matters which
the conference will have to consider.
I'm the second place. the discussion
Of the League Of Nations has proceeded
far too much on general or academic
Ilheb' ana tnls, COrnDlneQ WITH tn6 IN
herent difficulties of the subject, has
helped to create the impression which is
unhappily prevalent, that the league Is
not really . matter Of practical politics.
TO combat this impression have drawn
IN rough outline what appears to me a
practical. workable scheme.
World Ripe for Great Step.
in the third place. my reflections
Rave convinced me that the ordinary
conception OF the League of Nations is
not a fruitful one. nor is it the right
one, and that a radical Transformation
Of II is necessary. II the league Is ever
TO be a success, Il will have to occupy
p much greater position and perform
many other functions besides those or
dinariy assigned to It. Peace and war
are resultants Of many complex forces
and those forces will have to be gripped
at an earlier stage OF their growth II
peace Is to be effectively maintained
To enable 1t to do so. the league will
have to occupy the great position which
has been rendered vacant by the de-
struction Of 80 many Of the old Euro
pean empires and the passing away Oh
the old European order. And the league
should be put into the very forefront OF
the programme Of the Peace Conference
and be made the point OF departure fol
tho solution Of many OF the grave prob
lens with which It will be confronted.
TO my mind the world Is ripe fol
the greatest step forward ever made
in tho government of man. And hope
this brief account Of the league vii
assist the public to realize how greai
an advance is possible to-day as dlrec'
result Of the Unreasonable sacrifices OF
this war.
III that advance Is not made TIL:
war will, from the most essential poin
Of view. have been fought in vain. AND
greater calsmities will follow. ]. c. s."
December 16, 1918"
The pamphlet consists OF three parts
the first giving the position and power
of the league. the second the constitu
ton of the league. tho third the leagu
and the world peace.
Gen. Smuts's specific programme /
summarized in the following twenty-on
recommendations
"I) That In the vast multiplicity o
territorial. economic and other problem
with which the conference will find 1t
self confronted It should look upon tn
setting UP Of league of nations a
its primary and basic task and as sup
plying the necessary organ by mean
OF which most OF those problems ca
find their only stable solution. 1ndee
tho conference should regard itself a
the frst or preliminary meeting of tn
lea~ue, intended to work out its organ
szatIon, functions and programme.
Revislonary Policy Urged.
s(s) That, so far at any rate a
the peoples Of territories formerly be
longing to Russia, Austria Hungary an
Tu-,;ey are concerned, the League @
ha al oil
reversionary In the most general Gems
and as clothed with the right Of ult
mate disposal in accordance with ceI
tain fundamental principles. Reversio
10 the League of Nations should b
substituted for any policy OF nations
annexation.
What are these fundamental prir
cpes which must guide the league !
its territorial policy as the general hel
or successor OF the defunct empires
They have been summed up for the las
two years in the general formula c
no annexations and the self-determins
ZION OF nations There Is no doubt tina
behind them Is a profound feelin
throughout the masses Of the Euro
pean peoples and any violation OF theI
will meet with stern retribution
so far have referred only to terri
tories and peoples split off from Russi;
Austria and Turkey. The case OF Gel
many stands on a different footln
which Is clearly distinguishable In prir
ciple. II Alsace-Lorraine Is annexed
France. that would be case of disar
rexation. as it has been put that Is
say. II Is a case of restoring TO Franc
what was violently and wrongfully take
IN 1871, against the protests not only {
France, but of the population OF Alsace
Lorraine speaking through their electe
representatives. II Is a restitutio /
.ntegrum on moral and legal grounds
only IN a secondary or consequentis