New-York tribune., 1919-01-08

groundwork has been laid on which the
congress can proceed to build.
The American viewpoint, as it IS
now being formulated by the special
lists as the groundwork for the Presi-
dent seeks to reach an accord on fun
damentals on which all agree, and pre-
sent them in simple working form
One of the chief of these fundamentals
is the formation of a league which will
embrace all the nations of the world.
but not one which will establish any
balance of power among the group of
nations.
AS far as it has been developed the
general scheme for league of nations
agrees with previous forecasts. 1t is
learned that the United States. Great
Britain, France, Italy and Japan will
form the nucleus, and will declare that
the league will preserve the peace of
the world with justice to all An ar
bitral court will be created, and it will
be backed by the combined force of all
The Central Powers and neutral ma
tons, it is added, will be taken in as
probationers when they demonstrate
that they are self governing people
and give evidence of good faith to
abide by the decisions of the league.
Exchanges Are Begun
The arrival here of Lord Robert
Cecil, the special delegate of the Brit
lsh government on the league of ma
tions, and the presence of Leon Bour-
geos, the French representative on the
same subject, marks the inauguration
of exchanges en- the definite terms by
which the league is to be constituted
Already considerable progress has
been made on the various tentative
proposals put forward, but in the re-
cent absence of the President these
have not taken definite form, AS it is
recognized that he personally will take
leading part in the final formulation
of the plan. Meanwhile. however, the
various governments chiefly interested
are presenting outlines in quite definite
form.
Two British Plans
Two British plans of this tentative
nature have been presented one by
Lord Robert Cecil, the other by Lieu
tenant General U. C. SHUTS, of the War
Cabinet. The French plan, as formu-
lated by NJ. Bourgeois, has also been set
forth. And these are being compared
by the American specialists, who arc
preparing the groundwork for Presi-
dent Wilson.
Lord Robert Ccci's plan outlines a
broad and comprehensive organization
of the league of nations. but thus far
it is in general terms. and has not yet
been reduced to definite terms of enact
ment as it would appear in d treaty.
General Smutss plan is along similar
lines, but more general, and is mainly
thesis on the advantages of such a
league Of nations. General SHUTS is
former Minister of Defence ofS The
come here with the British Prime Min
ister David Lloyd George
Both Are Favored
Both of these plans are receiving
careful study by the American authori-
ties. and, it is declared, both are re
garded IN most favorable light
though it still remains to reduce the
general principles to concrete terms.
Nj. Rourgeoiss plan, embodying the
French point of view, while general,
also embraces a number of specific de
tails, including compulsory arbitration,
restriction of excessive armament, an
international tribunal and a series Of
sanctions or penalties for enforcing
observance of the leagues decisions.
These sanctions include various dplo-
matte, judicial and economic measures,
whereby the united nations may en-
force their decrees.
Care is being taken that the in1u
ence of the various nations in the
league shall be in accordance with their
size and Importance, so that the great
powers and the small powerd would
have voices according to their stand
ing. +,
World Trusteeship
Another feature especially concern
ing small undeveloped nations is to
be established, according to the Ameri-
can plan system of international
trusteeship whereby the various larger
nations having q developed and stable
civilization will act as trustees for the
society Of nations in fostering the prog
| ress and development of undevel loped
communities.
1T is recognized that the league OF
nations will have to have some estab-
lished and permanent seat for its ex-
tensive international work, and the
gradual conviction is taking form that
this seat will be Versailles. The decis-
ion as to this, however, must be the
natural outgrowth of the peace con-
ference.
Reports that the working organiza-
tlon might be located in Holland or
Belgium are declared to be incorrect.
as 1T is pointed out that the present
war went on despite The Hague CON
ventlons and the peace organizations
at The Hague, Bcrne and other places
Racic for Auroarso,+
Versailles, on the contrary, is felt to
embody the spirit of the present move
ment for the restoration of peace on
an enduring basis and the creation of
league of nations, and also to have
practical facilities which its proximity
to large capital gives.
The present informal exchanges will
progressively develop into the formal
gathering of the inter allied conference.
and that in turn to the peace congress.
IN which number of committees viii
be charged with the various nterna-
tional subjects before the congress. and
out of these successive stages it is ex
pected that league OF nations will be
embodied as a tangible existing orpani
Hatlon, as we'll as u documentary treaty.
The exchange of views on the tenta-
tlve plans is permitting such mutual ac-
commodations on fundamental points
that 1T is expected that public state
ment will be roade at an early date.
with the authorization of the govern
ments concerned, showing the general
character Of the progress made.
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