The sun., 1919-02-16

such a competent way and with such
high spirit. and we wish still more to
express the sincere wish Of France to
see that the great pact becomes, posi-
bly, with some improvement on the two
points have mentioned. the law Of
nationa"
Lord Robert CeciI's Speech.
Lord Robert Cecil, speaking for Great
Britain, said:
81 rejoice very much that tho course
which has been taken this afternoon has
been pursued. 1t seems to me n good
omen for the great project In which we
are engaged that perore It's final COM
pletion II should have been published to
the world and laid before all Its people
for their service and for their criticism.
The President spoke of the spirit which
animated the commission over which he
presided with such distinction. gladly
bear my testimony to the complete ac-
curacy. both in letter and in spirit. OF
everything which he has said about 1t.
TT was indeed a pleasure to serve
with such colleagues, and but for the
common purpose and the common devo-
ton to that purpose II would have been
impossible for us to have accomplished
the task set before us within the time
which was given TO II.
you have heard the covenant and II
Is unnecessary for me to dwell on its
details We have sought TO safeguard
the peace Of the world by establishing
certain principles. The first and chiefest
of them 10 that no nation shall go to
war with any other nation until every
other possible means of settling the dis
pute shall have been fully and fairly
tried.
Secondly, We lay down that under
no circumstances shall any nation Beck
forcibly to disturb the territorial settle
ment to be arrived at as the consequence
Of this peace or interfere with the po-
litical independence of any Of the States
In the world. These are the two great
precepts which we seek to lay down
for the government OF international re-
lations. And we have recognized that
IL these principles are really to be acted
upon we must go one step further and
lay II down that no nation must retain
armament on a scale fitted only for ag-
sressive purposes. do not doubt that
tho working out OF that principle will
be difficult. but It IL laid down clearly
in this document, and the organs OF the
league are entrusted with the duty OF
producing for the consideration and
support Of the world a workable scheme
for carrying It into effect
International Cooperation.
And. finally, we have thought that
| II the world is to be at peace II Is
not enough to forbid war. We must
| do something more than that We must
| try and substitute for the principle Of
| international competition that Of inter
national cooperation. and you win md
at the end OF this document num-
| Der of clauses which point out the
various respects in which the world can
| better discharge its duties by the CO.
, operation of each nation for purposes
which are beneficial to tho whole Of
| them. They are the examples of what
may be done. There arc many omis-
| sions.
The President has pointed out that
the frame of the organization suggested
Is very simple. He has alluded to some
aspects which some may think might
have been moro elaborate. but I agree
with him that simplicity Is the essence
Of our plan. We are not seeking to
produce for the world a building finished
and complete in all respeots- To have
attempted such thing would have
been an arrogant piece of folly.
All We have tried to do-an we have
hoped to dds 10 lay eoundly and truly
the foundations upon which our success
sors may build believe those founda-
tons have been we'll laid out, and It de-
ponds upon those who come after us
| what will b the character and stability
Of the building erected upon them"
Orlando Expresses Satisfaction.
Premier Orlando speaking for Italy
said:
~ I have asked to take part in this
debate It is 10 express my deep salts
faction at having oooperated In the first
production OF what In going to De one
Of the great documents OF history. and
I hope that my present feeling will be
fully justified.
I'VE all expect from the discussion
and development of tho present act a
renewal OF the whole world. but as the
present debate has for It's object %
bring the whole scheme before the pub
lie opinion of the world I wish to bring
to that debate my personal contriou-
ton.
81 am not going to speak on the gen
eral aim OF the scheme. This has beer
formulated by the men who have thu
highest and noblest right to do II, and
am not hero to insist upon the main and
fundamental principles. This 10 wha
Lord Robert Cecil has done with visor
Gus lucidity of mind. But have some
thing to say on the general method upor
which our work has been conducted.
"Our task, gentlemen, was one OF In
, comparable difficulty. We were facet
with two absolute principles, the concili
alton OF which would seem to be logical.
impossible-on one side the sovereignt,
Of States admitting Of no limitation
, and. on the other hand. limit imposed
, upon the action Of States, 30 that right
might be conciliated and 80 that the lib
, erty Of States should not include the Lilo
erty of doing wrong.
Now. we have been able to conciliat
these two principles on the basis OF sci
constraint The Governments have rec
ognized that limit. and they will max
It effective in each case, as there will b.
t the overwhelming pressure Of the publ
opinion of the world.