New-York tribune., 1919-09-24
Dominions and the League

OOmlnlOnS and the League
The publication of the memorandum
addressed to Premier Borden Of Canada
by the council of three at Paris
Messrs. Clemenceau, Wilson and Lloyd
George-raises an interesting question.
That is: On what basis do the five
British dominions, colonies, and depen-
dencies enter the league Of nations; do
they enter it as nations or near-nations
or nominations?
In the preamble to the treaty Canada,
Australia, the Union Of South Africa.
New Zealand and India are not men
toned among the high contracting
parties. That was natural, since these
dominions, colonies and dependencies
had not declared war on Germany. But
they all participated in the negotiations
and were included among the sigma
tories. They were admitted as original
members of the league under Article I
of the covenant. Moreover, the second
paragraph of Article I provides that
any other fully governing state, domin-
ION or colony may be elected member
OF the league by two-thrds vote of
the assembly.
The league is intended to be an as
sociation Of responsible states. No pro-
vision Is made in the covenant for
privileged distinctions or classes OF
membership, except that the principal
powers-the United States, Great Brit
ain, France, Italy and Japan-shall be
permanently represented in the council.
The rights and obligations of member
ship are shared equally by all associates.
The council Of three, in the note to Mr..
Borden, emphasized the fact of equalitv
by holding that Canada was as much
entitled to be elected to a seat in the
council as any other member.
1t has been objected that this con-
structlon of the scope and purpose of
the covenant would give the British En-
pire six members of the league and six
separate votes on all questions submitted
to the assembly. Article XII of the
covenant says: "The members of the
league agree that If there should arise
to a rupture they will submit the matter
either to arbitration OF to inquiry by
the council" Can 1t be contended that
this means that all members, except
Canada, Australia, the Union of South
Africa, New Zealand and India. apree
to submit disputes, those five men,
bers, because of their political attach
ment to Great Britain, not being in a
position to have disputes either among
themselves or with other members?
This view was expressed bv President
Wilson in his conference on August 10
with the members of the Senate Com
mttee on Foreign Relations. The FOL-
lowing colloquy occurred between the
President and Senator Brandegee:
Senator Brandegce-Now, all the self
governing colonies of England, or at
least FIVE of them, have vote in the
assembly. and the British Empire also
h. To'c. I assume in the case Of the
d. nich have supposed, Of course.
;ee .acd States would ba excluded
from voting as being party to the dis
pute. and | assume the British Empire
would be excluded, but am not sure.
The Presdent-Yes, sir; that is what
assume.
Senator Brandegee-Do you assume
that Australia, New Zealand, Canada and
India would be excluded?
The President--They are parts Of the
British Empire.
Senator Brandegee--They are parts Of
the British Empire. but are they parties
to the dispute?
The Fresident-I admit, Senator. that
that is a complicated question, but nv
judgment about it is quite clear.
The President then went on to saw
that the British Empire was diplo-
matte unit, and that the only contro-
versies submitted to the league would be
between diplomatic units. Senator Knox
then called attention to the fact that
when the reciprocity negotiations with
Canada were conducted in 1911 Great
Britain did not appear in them at ALL
The President reaffirmed his assump-
ton, however. The argument ended
with this passage:
Senator Brandeges-Is 1.-THE covsnantl