New-York tribune., 1919-03-05
LeagueNee
In Peace Pact.
Taft Asserts
Former President Would
Amend Paris Covenant in
One Respect, However
Wants U.S.Duties Defined
Believes Pact Should Say
American Armies Should
Not Go to Euro pc

Former President Taft, speaking at
the Metropolitan Opera House last
night, declared the proposed league of
nations covenant to be an essential
part of any treaty of peace with Ger
many. After telling of his efforts to
establish such league he entered upon
mitted to the Paris peace conference
He said:
Tho first important covenant with
reference to peace and war in the con-
stitution of the league is that looking
to reduction of armament by all ma
tions. The Executi e Council, consist
ing of a representative from the United
States, the British Empire. France
Italy and Japan, and with representa-
tive each from four nations to be
selected by the body of delegates, is
to consider how much the ornaments
OF the nations should be limited and
reduced, having regard to the safety
of each of the nations and it's obl-
gatlons under the league.
Having reached a conclusion as to
the proportionate limits of each ma
tion's armament, it submits its concu-
son to each nation, which nay or may
not agree to the limit thus recon-
mended. but when an agreement is
reached between n nation and the Ex-
ecutive Council it covenants to keep
within that limit until by application
20 the Executive Council the limit may
be raised. In other words. each nation
agrees to its own limitation. Having
so agreed, 1t must keep within it.
Urges Ten-Year Period
The character of this obligation is
affected by the time during which the
covenants OF the league continue to
bind. There is no stipulation as to
how this is. In my Judgment. there
should be period of ten years or a
permission for any member of the
league to withdraw from the covenant
by giving q reasonable notice of one
or two years of its intention to do So
"The members of the league and the
non-members are required. the former
by their covenant, the latter by an
enforced obligation, 70 submit all diff
ferences between them not capable of
being settled by negotiation to arbi-
tration before tribunal composed as
the parties may agree. They are re-
quired by covenant to abide the award.
Should either party deem the question
one not proper for arbitration, then
it is to be taken up by the executive
council Of the league. The executive
council mediates between the parties
and secures a voluntary settlement of
the question if possible; if not, it
makes a report
"If the report is unanimous. the eX-
ecutive council is to recommend what
shall be done to carry into effect it's
recommendation. If there is a dis
senting vote, then the majority report
is published, and the minority report,
If desired, and no further action is
taken. If either party or the executive
council itself desires, Che medlatlng
function is to be discharged by the
body of delegates, in which every mem
Der of the league has one vote.
Compliance Not Promised
There is no direction as to what
shall be done with reference to the
recommendatio of proper measures to
oe taken, and the whole matter is then
left for such further action as the
members of the league agree upon
There is no covenant by the defeated
party that it will comply with the
unanimous report Of the executive
council or the body of the league.
"And right here wish to take up the
objection made to the league that un-
der this machinery we might be com
pelled to receive imm lgrants contrary
to our national desire, from Japan OF
China We could and would refuse to
submit the issue TO arbitration. 1T
would then go to mediation. In my
Judgment, the council, as mediating
body, should not take jurisdiction to
consider such a difference. Immgra-
.ion by international law is a domestic
question completely within the control
of the government into which immi-
grafton is sought, unless the question
Of immigration is the subject of treaty
stipulation between two countries.
"If, however, it be said that there is
no limitation in the covenant of the
differences to be mediated, clearly We
would run no risk of receiving from
the large body OF delegates of all the
members of the league unanimous re
port recommending settlement by
which Japanese immigrants shall be
admitted to our shores or Japanese ap
picants be admitted to our citizenship
contrary to our protest.
Need Not Obey Mandate
"But were it made, we are under nc
covenant to obey such a recommends
ton. If it could be imagined that al
of the other nations of the worlc
would thus unite their military forces
20 compel us to receive Japanese i'm.
migrants under the covenant, why
would they not do so without the
covenant? How much more are we
| exposed to such danger with the
covenant than without it?
"The next covenant is that the ma
tions shall not begin war until thre,