New-York tribune., 1919-02-05
World League
LIS n arrOWed
TwoPlans
Continued from page 1

selected a third arbitrator. The
three arbitrators thus chosen consti-
tuted tribunal for determining the
issues.
Favored by Small Powers
The foregoing, on broad lines, is the
project which meets with most favor
among the small nations, as they would
be represented both on the legislative
and executive branches. 1t is to be
noted that such an organization would
follow somewhat the lines of that of
the present peace conferences, as the
legislative branch is analogous to the
plenary session of the conference,
while the executive branch is similar
to the council of the great powers, now
holding daily sessions.
The revised plan makes several i'm
portant changes. The legislative branch
remains the same, with the great and
small nations represented. The execu-
tive branch is modified, however, so as
to consist chiefly of the great powers,
with two representatives from each, to
which others from the small powers may
be added when interests especially af-
fecting them are at issue.
"Big Five" as Arbiters
The third branch is entirely changed,
so as to eliminate the plan of arbi-
tators and substitute an executive
council of the great powers as tri-
bunal for judging international issues,
analogous to the International Supreme
Council.
1t is the two latter features which
are regarded by the small powers as
tending to concentrate the executive
and judicial branches in the hands Of
the great powers, whereas the small
powers prefer the plan giving them a
status on the executive branch, and ar
bitration as means of judicial de-
termination, instead of a tribunal of
the great powers.
The question now before the commits
sion is one largely between the great
and small powers.
Several of the small powers are un-
derstood to be preparing amendments
to the revised plan, with view to Civ
ing them representatives in all branches
of the organization, and it is said that
the tendency among the great powers
IS to give every reasonable considera-
tion to these desires, while preser 7ing
tn bo
larger interests and responsibilitie
warrant.
No Menace to U. S. Interests
The American delegates to the peace
conference, it is said, are satisfied
that the project for society of ma
tions as it will emerge from the COM
mittee now handling the subject will
not conflict with or impair the vitality
of the Monroe Doctrine.
There is a growing feeling here that
the treaty of peace should be speedily
framed, now that the principle of the
society of nations and many of the
details Of its construction have been
agreed upon. Arthur j. Ba!four. the
British Foreign Secretary, is engaged
upon proposition to fix the territorial
boundaries of the defeated nations at
once and promptly conclude peace with
the enemy IS so constituted The pro
gramme would then be to go on with
the settlement Of the other questions
remaining to be solved under the rules
Of the society of nations.
The progress made by the peace con-
terence committees, as an outcome of
the energetic Anglo American campaign
TOR quicker action, has strengthened
the hope among the most optimistic
delegates that the league of nations
may be established and that even GER
tam peace terms may be settled before
PRESIDENT Wilson leaves for the United
States
The President and Premier Llovd
George are understood to be agreed
tnat there should be no further DELAY.
ana they are urging speed Some oppo-
sltton Is teing encountered in some
quarters, but the general sentiment of
me delegates who have expressed them
selves Is for prompt action.
Cling to Vital Issues
For the present the main effort of
the promoters is to keep out all matter
from the plan which is not absolutely
vital. nus, IT may prove that one re
SUIT VIII be that little more than the
skeleton of the project-a framework
81 funds,mental general principles
viii be disclosed. 1t is expected. how
ever, that upon this can be hung al
most everything essential to the de-
}eiopnent of the plan whereby it is
hop*G TO assure the peace of the
world for generations to come.
with such an agreement on general
principles as has been reached it is
held IN some quarters that there may
be no need to treat specifically such
subjects as the freedom OF the seas
the use Of submarines in warfare, the
creation Of buffer states, or even the
del,mitation Of national boundaries
With reference to their defensive pos
sibi!ities The idea is that there would
be no necessity to consider the ques-
tion of defence against neighbor
whose good behavior was assured.
Some subjects, however, do require
Immediate consideration, it seems gen
orally agreed. These are subjects such
as the assessment Of the damages
caused by the war, the responsibility