New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-02-20

ever was decided to the contrary b,
the Union itself.
There is nothing in the proposed
constitution of the league which pro
vides for its abrogation, or for tn,
secession OF ITS members When powe
is once in their hands its executiv,
council may decide that its obligation.
are binding forever upon its members
an it's simplicity and absence Of Soc
cialization of functions the machinery
of the league is similar to the Sovier
government OF Russia. It's body O
delegates and executive council ant
permanent secretariat are very largely
a duplication of the framework Of the
sovets.
Five Important Features
There are five principle matters o.
prime Importance contained in the con
Stitution.
"First-The surrender by the sew
eral nations to the league of the
power and discretion of determining
the rules. methods and degree of dis
armament and the relative and abso-
Lutte size Of the army and navy which
any member Of the league may main
tain.
Second Compulsory arbitration of
all questions Of every kind and de-
lore have been regarded as non
Justiciable affecting the vital inter
ests, honor and even the independ-
ence of the nations
Ihrd-The commitment of each
member. including the United States,
II it should become member, to
participate in the wars and contro-
VERSES of every other nation and to
assume the general guardianship of
various peoples in Europe, Asia and
Africa.
"Fourth-The participation by tn,
league, through an international
bureau of labor, in the domestic, So
clal, economic and industrial prob
lens both IN their own countries and
IN all countries to which their COM
mercial and industrial relations eX-
tend. The extent Of the participation
and powers of the international bureau
OF labor are left entirely vague and
indefinite. What steps will be taken
by the league or what power it vii!
legltlmately have, to carry out the
policies declared in this article, are
left to the wide discussion of the
league itself, as there is no limitation
placed upon it,
Fifth. The surrender by the
united States to the other members
OF the league of the power vested
IN Congress by the Constitution to
regulate commerce with foreign ma
tlons In arms and ammunition. 'Thc
nlgh contracting parties agree that
the league shall be intrusted with
general supervision of the trade in
arms and ammunition with the
countries in which the control of
this traffic is necessary in the COM
mon interest. The control of the
trade IN arms and ammunition is
one of the chief weapons of defence
both direct and indirect, whether
in the matter of export or import
OF arms and ammunition from or
INTO the United States itself.
Leagues Orders binding
Tho provisions of the constitution
OF the league as proposed give the
league absolute discretion as to the
a1mamonts of its several members
ne deJermlnation of what the inter
national obligation of the United
States are, once it has Joined the
league, viii be taken from the neonle
OF the United States and given to the
league OF nations, and the Unite,
states VIII be absolutely bound b\
every order of the league as to on,
naval and military forces and arma-
ments. 90
"Artclc TX provides that "a per
manent commission shall be constjtut.
ed to advise the league on
military and naval questions gcnor.
Any nder the provisions of Article
vi, when this programme and
method of execution shall have been
decldod by the league the United
states and the other members will he
'ouna to conform to the same.
hdoubtedly reduction Of arrna.
1 r,'l" OF the world is most desirable
" IN equal certainty, however, the
SniVed states and its people should
10Y; me opportunity to ratify or re
49, me proposed plan; and the rola-
I'VE degree Of such disarmament
when so agreed TO, should be un ,;l,slrs,'
among all the nations of the world
and not confined merely TO mon,bere
of the league '''''''' :
No Prerogative for Congress
~ 'he league plart) is delegation
amu transfer of sovereign powers tc
en- amen agency These powers are
TsSleu , ny the Constitution Of the
Z lted States in Congress. They can.
,oc ne cons titutionallv divestcd Nc
discretion Is left in Congress. eithe,
10 accept or reject the advancement
maze by me league of nations; but if
- bound and obligated in advance by
the constitution of the lcapuc anG
mas no discretion or preropativc To-
IN the matter.
1T IS c early a delegation of tho
powers Of the government Of Inc
nlted States to another power, and
as such, is beyond the capacity Of
me government of the United States
70 enter INTO. It would be a strrendc,
by the government of the most essen
tlal; vital rights Of the people.
he naeion should avoid entering
,h'o a. agreement which cannot be
Kept. There should be common sense
plan among all of the great military
powers for reduction and limitation
OF armaments. but this plan should
be submitted to the government and
70 the people Of the United State
Tor their approval or rejection; and
there shouid be an express reserva
lion OF the right of the people of the
Onlted States 70 abrogate the agree
ment upon duo rotice and proper pro
ccdure.
"This blind commitment Of H.,
,ao.' 70 submit their future 20 tho
decision of a tribunal in ',b'e
Il multitude would mean the end Of