The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-01-25
LEAGUE NATIONS
NOW EMERGING
Persistent Ardor of Wilson,
Backed Up by Lord Cecil,
Winning the Day.
CONCRETE PLAN SOON
In Fact, Before Americas
Leader Returns Definite Ac-
tion Will Be Taken.

Paris, Jan. 24.--In the last few days
considerable progress has been made
towards perfecting the preliminary
plans for a league of nations. These
plans take the shape of memoranda
drawn up by the different delega-
tions, upon which further discussions
can be had. The plans, however,
though naturally not Identical in de-
tail, are sufficiently similar in broad
outline to render it possible to give
some sort of forecast upon the shapel
which the foundations of the league
are likely to assume in the next few
weeks.
There is, in the first place, an
agreement that the war will have
been fought largely in vain If the
conference does not produce a work
ing scheme for a society of nations.
There Is also an agreement that the
conference should itself be consid-
cred, as far as possible, the actual
beginning of, the league. In other
words, a tendency grows to believe
that the correct and indeed the only
practicable procedure will be for the
representatives of the great powers
to draw up the main terms for
league and present them for the con-
sideration of their lesser allies, adopt
any suggestions they may make to
improve it and then initial the docu-
ment and keep it until Germany and
the neutrals are ready to adhere.
Suit Wilson in Particular.
This plan will suit Mr.. Wilson in
particular for his personal efforts in
favor of league, have been unre-
mitting and it is understood he
wishes to have its essentials agreed
upon by the time he leaves for the
United States next month, as 1t Is
now his plan to do.
1t Is not certain whether disarma-
ment will figure in the initial agree
ment. There is a strong movement
to postpone that question for subse-
quent settlement by the league, de-
spite the fact that it is closely con-
nected with the problems of the stra-
tegic frontiers of various European
countries-problems which presuma-
bly, must be tackled fairly and
promptly. 1t seems certain, at any
rate, that a number of questions it
was originally expected would be
dealt with by the conference will be
put over for the league to take up at
greater leisure-questions like Mr..
Wilson'S proposal for equal economic
treatment to all nations, freedom of
the seas, especially in times OF peace,
and naturalization of waterways. 1t
is to be hoped this will be the case.
Not only will the conference thus be
left more time for urgent reconstruc-
ton work, but long step will have
been taken towards giving the league
that authority which, If it Is to be
real force for international de-
cency, it must have-authority, that
is to say, to administer the common
affairs of the world, such as a certain
uniform rules, labor conditions. per-
haps international postal services and
other Joint activities of the society
of nations that are at present con-
Quoted under promiscuous conven-
tions.
Be that as It may, enough has been
said to show how rapidly the idea of
the league is emerging out OF the
mass, or rather inchoate idealism un-
der which it seemed for a time 1t
might he engulfed.
Whether its general principles will
have been formulated quickly enough
for President Wilson to take them
to America with him within n few
weeks cannot be said.
Winning Most Favor.
A composition league plan that
seems to be winning the most favor
is that it should have council con-
sisting of members Of governments
of the great powers which should
meet at some convenient spot at fire.
quent intervals: a conference OF all
signatories which should meet nj
longer stated intervals with the main
object of reviewing the rules Of the
league and a strong permanent sec
retarial. To prevent. or rather re
duce to a minimum, the danger OF
wars, members would present their
disputes for mediation either before
the council or. if it liked, before the
conference. They would be pledged
not to fight until the league had
given its decision. and should the
pledge be broken all members OF the
league would have TO be ready to
make war upon the offender. either
by economic means or by force OF
arms. II is possible, however, that
war between two states may not be
entirely barred If important protec-
tion is adopted whereby no settle
ment can be arranged, the two states
would, after n reasonable interval. be
allowed to fight under. of course.
rules TO be devised later by the
league.
More Doubtful Position.
The project and, hence. the future
Of the world would be in a much
more doubtful position had It not
been for the persistent ardor of Pres
ident Wilson in his advocacy of the
league. backed M hv the practical
spadewoik of Lord Robert Cecil and