Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-15

The Presidents share in it has obviously
been extremely potent The world has
been hearing much of compromises" while
the commission was at work, and doubtless
many adjustments have been made. None
the less, several of the most important pro-
visions are vividly expressive OF the
American viewpoint. Old treaty obliga
tions inconsistent with the terms of the
covenant are automatically abrogated
All subsequent agreements between any
of the contracting parties shall be re.
garded as unbinding until published. There
is to be no world state or world police
Endorsement OF the mandatory colonial
system for the residue of defeated empires
is categorically made and linked up with
notifications in sympathy with the doc
trine of sef-determination.
The economic boycott is to be the first
punitive weapon employed against refrac-
tory members Of the League. Under neces-
sity, the application of armed force will
be recommended" by executive council.
The administering machinery Of the
League is of nature whose value can
only be proved by experience. The execu-
tive council and the body of delegates
suggest analogies in their composition and
functions TO the American Senate and
House of Representatives. Vital coercive
authority rests in the smaller body, in
which the smaller nations will have four
votes. with the Representatives of the
United States, France, the British Empire
Italy and Japan, which Powers inevitably
constitute the backbone of the league But
4,,l., a.
in which all the signatories to the League
are represented, may be invoked If certain
formal rules OF procedure are observed.
The compulsion TO arbitrate questions of
international irritation is made extremely
drastic, and a great variety of contin.
gencies have been foreseen. They include
squabbles between League members and
non-League members, disputes between out
siders, who, II refractory, are Obliged to
enter the association, and threats of armed
force If all other methods, including the
interference Of a permanent court of
arbitration, fail. II war, after all the
modifying machinery has unavailingly
operated, is deemed unavoidable, League
members are obligated not to resort TO
judication of the issue has been made.
1t may be argued, of course, that dis.
honor can attain extravagant extremes.
as In the case of Germany, but that
shadow is upon all man-made laws Illegal
acts are committed in tho best admin
istered countries but such performances
by no means wholly discredit the rule of
good governments, The League machinery
has the potentiality OF a mighty warder
OF moral force, and that is precisely what
moral force In this world Of human weak
nesses needs to be effective. Infractions
OF the League pledges are made exceed
ingly unattractive, and the fate of any
nation which INDUCES in them is likely 10
furnish salutary warning TO all other
maloontents.
Those which remain without the League
will have no easier time than any erring
sienatory, for the covenant is not merely
scheme to band arrogantly together a
group Of few domineering Powers, but Il
actually undertakes to comprehend In It's
lofty scope the political world This
naturally includes Germany. obviously re-
fsrrsd 70 in the fsilowihs stern lanss.ss:
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