The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-13


arms for the maintenance of their
territories and the safeguarding of
international treaties. II would seem
that the conception has heen dis.
carried, whereby the league becomes
superstate in favor of inslstence on
the necessity OF close mutual obllga-
tions furnishing guarantees for the
independence Of each nation more OF
ficient than the old systems OF al.
llances."
May Meet on an Island.
The plan for League Of Nations,
which now may he considered as vir-
tually approved by all the members OF
the special commission. provides for a
small body of representatives Of the
great and small countries, which will
govern the Society of Nations, meet
ing every two or three months in n
place that will be internationalized
The meeting place was not indicated In
the plan, but during the discussion
members of the commission spoke of
Constantinople or some island.
Each country will provide list Of
experts in international law, from
which body will be chosen arbltrators
when disputes between nations are
submitted for settlement
II the country which the decision
Of the arbitrators places in the wrong
does not accept the ruling OF the arbi-
traitors and has recourse In arms. not
only the forces of the other contending
tn
OF all the other members OF the So
cisty of Nations in n position to help
VIII take up arms against it,
The covenant establishing the rules
OF the Society Of Nations does not
make 1t compulsory, however, for all
the contracting parties TO go to war
TO help one of their. associates.
This was decided when NJ. Bourgeois
in the name OF France asked that
there should be naval and land
force of the society of nations ready
TO repulse an enemy attack whenever
necessary, and In the present case to
Keep such forces In France until all
possible danger OF attack from Ger
many was over.
This was opposed by the United
States and Great Britain and other
countries, and after long discussion Il
was agreed that no permanent inter-
national military force should be kept.
but II country should be attacked In
violation Of the rules of the Society of
Nations the attacked country would
employ her forces as covering troops"
waiting assistance from other members
OF the society which could more easily
help her.
No country would be obliged to 60 to
the rescue of another country unjustly
attacked. but all the signatories to the
Society of Nations would be compelled
to Join in an economic boycott against
country which violates its rules. and
also to maintain friendly neutrality in
favor of the attacked country.
Thus far during the discussion the
British and American tendency has
been to reach an agreement on general
principles. while the continental Euro
pean and Latin Powers have been in
clined to go into details which
rendered unanimity by the commits
sion difficult. II not impossible.
President Wilson succeeded In bring
ing about a compromise between the
two tendencies, thus insuring an
adeption OF the plan and covenant.
French Plan as Presented.
The French Government formally
presented to the League Of Nation.
Committee last night an article Great
ing an international military force
This action closely follows the. disclos-
ure by Premier Clemenceau in his re-
cent interview with the Associated
Press Of his conviction that the League
OF Nations must be supported "by the
determination Of each nation entering
into the agreement to be willing to re-
nounce its traditional aloofness from
other peoples and willing to employ the
national strength outside Its own coun-
try In time OF peace as we'll as under
the pressure Of war"
The contention OF NJ. Bourgeois
IL that the International force pro-
posed must be of sufficient proportions
to prevent Germany or any other
country from breaking the peace, or IL
the peace were broken to restore II
promptly again by the collective power.
H. Bourgeois, alluding to the appre-
henslon existing in France as regards
Germany, insisted that there was grave
danger confronting France II an inter.
national force was not constantly In
being and organized for instant action.
The French view. he indicated, was that
a society of nations which did not In
clude a permanent collective force might
be a beautiful experiment, perhaps. but
an experiment too great for a nation
TO risk unless IL had in addition defen-
sive frontiers sufficient to meet a sud
den shock.
stu I'm Fear of Germany.
1t was easy for the British, on the
other side OF the Channel and with an
enormous navy. or for the Americans
with the ocean as their defensive from
tier. he argued, to regard calmly tile
working OF a league which did not pro-
vide for an international force. France,
however. being separated from Germany
only by a geographical line. must re-
ceive the first shock II Germany should
decide to pass beyond her frontiers and
the German shock. even with greatly
limited ornaments, might be so destruc.
tive, according to the French view that
France would never be able to recover
France, with every trust and reliance
in the good faith OF Great Britain and
the United States. nevertheless, II was
pointed out, would have to wait many
months before the forces OF these ma
tons could be created, transported and
placed in action.
M Bourgeois Is understood to have
compressed into his proposition the
deeply considered convictions OF the
FreRh Cabinet and its military and
legaY advisers
The contention of those who do not