Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-02-15

The Victors' League.

of the document, the league Of nations
that is to serve as a preventive of war
is q vietors' league. controlled Ivy
those powers that have borne the
brunt Of the great war and have ac-
complished the defeat of the nations
that sought dominion over other PEG
pies.
This is assured by the fact that al
though the delegate body comprising
the active force Of the League is to
include representatives Of all the
signatory states, voting as state units,
the real control Is vested in an execu-
tive council of nine members, five of
whom are designated permanently by
name, Great Britain, France, Italy.
Japan and the United States, the pow
ers whose forces won the war. With
them will serve representatives of four
other nations, elected from time to
time by the votes of the delegate body.
This permanent inclusion of the five
powers named means, in effect, that
in all material matters their judgment
and their viii are to prevail
Membership in the league viii be
open eventually to all, though in the
first instance it is to be confined to
those nations that are represented at
the peace conference, allies in the
great war, together with other nations,
not yet publicly named, to be invited
to join. To this body may later be
admitted other states, including those
lately in conflict and now in defeat,
to whom membership may be extended
upon the votes of two-thirds of the
delegate representatives. This does not
permanently bar Germany and her al
lies. They must, however, to become
members of the league, gain the as
sent OF two-thirds of the member
states and they must, moreover, com
ply with the fundamental require
ments of membership, which is dim
tied to fully self governing countries,
including dominions and colonies"
and the giving of effective guarantees
of sincere intention to observe inter
national obligations and TO conform
TO the principles OF the league in re-
gard to naval and military forces and
ornaments.
The President in his address to the
conference yesterday made this com
ment concerning the enforcement of
the principles of peace:
"Armed force is in the Background
in this program, but it is in the back
ground; and If the moral force of the
world viii not suffice the physical
force of the world shall. But that is
the last resort, because this is intended
as constitution of peace, not as a
league of war"
Armaments are TO be reduced ito
the lowest point consistent with ma
tional safety and the enforcement by
common action of international obi
cations" The geographical situation
and circumstances of each state are to
be taken into account. This signifies
that no hard and fast rule is TO be laid
down, as circumstances may change
and necessities may increase. Precau-
lions are taken to prevent secret ar
mament and to regulate the private
manufacture OF munitions of war and
also to supply the smaller nations in
capable of maintaining their own
means of production.
II is impossible at one sweep to an
alyze the provisions of this compre.
hensive and vitality important docu-
ment. It's fundamental principle is
sound. The object for which it is
proposed, the prevention of war by
interposing means Of just adjudica-
ton, is TO be desired by all peoples
The instrumentalities proposed 10 this
end are not assuredly effective, but
they represent a material advance
from the indispensable modes Of the
past.
This proposal for an international
league conflicts with the principle Of
independent national sovereignty
While some states may be glad Of the
protection that will be afforded by the
league, with power TO enforce It's man
dates and principles, others VIII at this
juncture be compelled to choose be
tween their own sense OF suf1iciency
and surrender Of part Of their soy
ereignty in the interest of world peace
In this country the tendency has been
toward the formation of d powerful
nation, supplanting the individual
then the colony, next the state, TO tht
end of a strong national organization
The impulse of national sufiieiency !,
felt throughout the world. Now come.
the issue of complete national indie
pendepee as against submergence il
part of national authority TO the enc
of insuring, if possible. tranquility il
the world.
If out of this war comes a mocha
nism for the equitable settlement Of
disputes, for the restraint of unboly
national ambitions, for the reduction
of the oyerburdening weight of arma
ments and military service, for the re