The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-03-29
AGAINST COVENANT.

Q.-'Tn the national assembly at
weimar several speakers expressed
themselves encrgotically against the
covenant OF the league Of nations
(which President Wilson read to pie
mary session Of the Paris peace cen-
terence on February IA. Does your
Axceliency share their views?"
A-r-'To pass Judgment OF ths
Ieague Of nations covenant from tho
standpcint of German foreign policy is
not an easy matter. Many of the arti-
cloa are no framed as to be open TO
different Interpretations and execution.
PArhaps one reason for this Is that tho
1890 only translated into French
diplcmAttc language when they were
dtocuMsed by the commission
s<Furtheymore. the articles show
that they constitute 4 compromise OF
c0nfiictinG views Throughout the
whole covenant there runs like red
thread IN extraordinary degree OF sus-
plc4On.
m h further Characteristic that tho
1lR u members published simultane-
ounay with the draft contains only
kntas which have been at war with
Carmany or broken relations with US,
onA that President Wilson deemed II
necsssaSy to use some very harsh
words against ths Germans in his
epsninx speech. 49,. 49,.
reanons the covenant cannot be ac-
OVERCOME OBSTACLES
Ave must, II In any way pos.s-
he. keer IN = positive manner in the
AaVu3opsnont which has been opened
NJ the wilsontan league ! am con-
v4nceA that world peace can be at
satned only through the pacific orga nj
naxdon Of the peoples and. though tho
|drot steps on this road must hit upon
M sorts Of obstacles. they will never
tha3enu bring us nearer to the goal.
o-HOw does your exceiiency con-
|cAive p0aittve corporation
1--WE shall endeavor. with the
aid or public opinion, TO remove the
oblectionable features from the Gov
enant Taken a. whole. the draft
haa. must state with regret. char
Actsr more oiignrch'c than democrats.
ssTAa executive council has such
predominant position that there can
scaYcsly be any question of responsi-
htIftv. Thfs fact, however. would
harlIy prevent Germany from enter
ius1 \ leaxue Of nations. for the vic
tof1ouD mtght Of democratic IDEAS will
80 tDelf Ia tthe league. az II as
erf4ed itself In the nations which now
revo for themselves the decisive I'M
1lSSnso ana Herewith tho direction Of
o.-SDo you. therefore. recommend
shat Germany. IN the hope of the i'm
rrova1nent OF the covenant, should
Snan f1,e league OF nations?"
COLONIES AND TERRITORIES
A-~ou the whoie-yeA Inaccept-
80 d their present form seem to me
VI Ureeent only the conditions regard
- colonies and territories which, as
. N
o. ulder the sovereignty Of states
witch Formerly governed them :.
sssIn IA .nxst place. ! cannot admit
teaf nom the standpoint of fnterua-
1920 law. Germany's sovereignty over
H1r n01onfes has ceased 10 exist. In
~ peace Il concluded. 1t is only
1nee&ioa Of the right Of occupation.
Xhe manner IN which mus .ar Doe.
au8cne of Germany and Turkey nave
sseen awarded TO various powers LOOKS
1900 Ike = distribution OF the spoiis
~ war among happy conquerors than
INC the generous and just adjustment
81 the colonial problems, as advocated
~ Precedent wilson"
u -s.Can you designate for me spe-
et4e etipulafions In the covenant re-
~~rAinr which Germany would offer
n01dtivo eriticism?"
~ shalI not 70 into details The
s1rmraent Il too long for that. will
~ ucant out that the question ofethe
6nrn az the seas has been entirely
srore "a and that the question OF free
lSers 81 commerce Is really touched
n0n only In points where exceptions
from such freedom arc deemed neces-
what Covenant Lacks.
serAsre arc lacking in the covenant.
tAsrSforo. two important points o.
- Wllsonian program. The grea'
10 u international workmen's, law.
sSe fundamentally new and most
$500 King task OF 4 league Of nations
Uulfs insmfiacientiy regulated
DEAN t,nuaAs ~ RASs Js~0i