The Springdale news., 1919-03-21
UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

The fact that a great many people think that action in the League of Ma tions is to be controlled by majority vote is shown not only by the statements of eminent public men, some of whom favor the league, but more generally by the opinions expressed by men and women whom one meets on the streets, in the clubs or offices-anyWhere where men or women congregate. This impression is a natural one in country governed by majorities, but it is mistaken idea in relation to the proposed constitution of the League of Nations. We referred to this error in a casual way yesterday, but it is so widespread and is the cause of so much opposition to the league, that we think 1t deserves larger consideration. Probably three-fourths of the objection to the league in this country is based up- on the belief that the United States would be, or could be, ootvoted in the hear much about our having but one rep resentative against eight in the Execu- tive Council and but one against an in- definite number in the body of delegates, and the impression naturally arises that we would be hopelessly dominated by alien interests. But this is mistaken notion
 Every meeting of the Executive Council and every meeting of the body of delegates will be in effect a meeting of the sovereign states. Now, 1t is a prin- ciple of international law that all states are equal in their sovereignty, whatever differences there may be in their in- portance or power. Therefore, when states meet together, through their chos- en representatives, they cannot consent to lower the dignity of their sovereignty by submission to a majority, even if a state should find itself in the position of a minority of one At such meetings of states, says a standard authority, "the negotiation continues until an agreement has been reached, or until the impossi- bility of reaching such an agreement has become apparent. If questions are sub mltted to vote, nothing short of unani- nous consent is sufficient to carry a measure of prime importance After an essential article or stipulation has been adopted, the majority rule may prevail (by unanimous agreement) in the decis- lon of question of detail, or in accessory stlpulatlonS of minor importance (Da- wis, Elements of International Law.")
 This rule of unanimity is the gen eral rule" referred to by Lord Robert Cecil, whom We quoted on this point yes. terday. This is the great principle ir all action within the league, he said. that 1t must be unanimously agreed to-" ex. cept ln certain special cases set forth ir the covenant. These exceptions are as follows: Rules of procedure in the council or body of delegates may be de clded by majority vote; admission tc the league requires the assent of two thirds of the states represented in tht body of delegates; in the settlement o1 disputes by either the council or the bod, of delegates, if unanimous recommen dation cannot be made by all the mem bers except those party to the dispute. /; majority report is to be published and ; minority report may be made, but in sucl a case these reports have no bindint power. These are the only exception, specified. In all other cases the rule o- unanlmity is understood No other pro vision for action by less than the whole number of members appears in the com pact The single vote of the Unitet States in either body would be positiy,