Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-03-21
THE SPIRIT OF THE LEAGUE

The air Is full just now of discussions of various
specific features of the proposed constitution for the
league of nations, and each person seems to place upon
each provision his own interpretation in the light of his
personal views as to the provision which should be made
for that particular subject. If the same rule were to be
applied as it sometimes Is to the constitution Of the United
States, the constitution of any OF our states. the charter
of any city or the articles regulating any corporation we
should undoubtedly have as many different interpreta-
tons as there are interpretations. II any such document
is to be perfectly interpreted 1t must be taken as a whole
and each provision must be construed in connection with
all the others, and in the light of the spirit which DOM
mates the entire document.
The league constitution as drawn is certainly not
perfect. There are many places in which the addition
OF other matters or a change in wording might be advan-
tageous. But the spirit and purpose Of the constitution
are set forth in the preamble in a manner which can not
very we'll be misunderstood unless misunderstanding be
determined in advance. Tho preamble reads as follows:
In order to promote International co-opera-
ton and to secure international peace and
security by the acceptance of obligations not to
resort to war, by tho prescription of open. just
and honorable relations between nations, by the
firm establishment of understandings of interna-
ional law as the actual rule OF conduct among
governments, and by tho maintenance OF justice
and scrupulous respect for all treaty obligations
in the dealings of organized people with ono
another. the powers sisnatory to this covenant
adopt this constitution Of the league of nations.
That statement of purpose sets forth the spirit in
which the league is to be created. II created at all, under
these conditions. 1t is created in order to secure certain
high desirable ends, and to do this in a certain manner;
namely. by the acceptance between nations concerned
Of certain specific obligations. 1t will be observed that
In this declaration Of purpose the signatory powers do not
agree to waive any Of their rights of sovereignty as ap-
piled to the control Of their own territory and their own
people. They do not agree to place. themselves under the
control and direction OF any other body. They do agree
voluntarily not to resort to war: to maintain proper re-
lations between each other. to observe international law
to maintain Justice and to respect treaty obligations
They solemnly declare their purpose to do these things
in order that tho objections OF the league may be accom-
plished; namely, that there may be International CO.
.Leration and peace and security throughout the world.
This compact has some times been declared to De
chiefly one which binds the nations to go to war even
aFainst their will. The absurdtty Of that contention mus,
be apparent to anyone who will read this preamble for
es.ry article in the constitution must be interpreted in a
manner consistent Of the opening declaration Of purpose
frat being true this constitution gwen with the detects
which It contains IS a document of peace and not Of war