New-York tribune., 1919-03-20
Binding Decisions by
Delegates Limited

The functions of the body of dele
gates are still less extensive, consist
ing almost entirely Of the discussion of
matters within the sphere of action Of
the league. The only cases-anart
from the regulation Of it's own bro
cedure-where IL IS given power to
make binding decisions, are the selec-
tion OF the four countries. which, in adj
ditlon to the five chief powers. are to
nave seats in the executive council:
and the case where a matter in dis
pute between two states is referred
TO the body for inquiry, in which case
Its recommendation has the same effect
as II made by the executive council.
This analysis of the plan for a
league set forth in the covenant or
Paris shows how closely it resembles 8
the sketch of the minimum essentials
of such league in the opening of
this address. 1t shows also that the
lear OF super sovereign body, to
which we are asked to sacrifice our in
dependence, is the creation of an over
heated Imagination. If we assume sum
that the covenant means what it saws.
and not something wholly different.
no organ of the league has any au--
thorlty to give commands to this
country that need give us a moments
anxiety.
This misunder derstanding of the ma
ture OF the league proposed, and of
the functions of its organs, is the
foundation of most of the objections
raised against the covenant. If the
United States is not subject to the
orders of the executive council. or
under any obligation to adopt its rec
concentrations, it is senseless to talk
OF our being ruled by body in which
we have only one vote out of nine.
The opponents of the league set up an
imaginary scarecrow of their own Gre
alton and then fire at it with great
satisfaction to themselves. Their
shots do not touch the real mark,
although they may trouble the inno-
cent bystander.
"Another bogey of an equally un
substantial kind is that England has
in the body of delegates six votes to
our one. If the only functions of this
body are to talk, to select the four
other states to be represented on the
executive council, and to make unani-
nous recommendations after inquiry
into dispute, the number Of votes
therein is not of mich consequence
Moreover, even if the British self-gov-
erning colonies are admitted as mem
bers of the league, it is by no means
certain that Great Britain can always
~OAAe VI titS'l NVLcS, anu on LQc Otncr
hand---tell it not in Gath-who but
the United States would practically
control to-day the votes of Panama, of
Nicaragua, Of Hayti and of Santo Do
mingo?
Let US now turn to the particular
objections made TO the entrance of the
United States into this league. or in
deed into any league to maintain the
peace of the world. First or last. tho
opponents of the covenant always seek
for an argument in Washington's Fare
well Address. Curiously enough,
have never heard Washington's opin-
ions or practice, which must be we'll
known, quoted against prohibition or
some other modern innovations. 1t is
even more strange to hear Senator
Borah urge the authority of Washing
ton against a league of nations, but
say that il the Saviour Of mankind
should revisit the earth and declare
for such league he would neverthe-
less oppose it. To the ordinary man,
that Senator's ideas of authority in
matters of opinion are perplcxing
NO sensible man would for moment
assert that if owing to q change Of
conditions in the modern world, he
were convinced of the utility and wis
dom Of a depRrtuxa from the policy Of