The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1919-01-04
NATION LEAGUE
SEEMS FAR away
BTItain's Idea is For Frequent
international Conferences.

compromise FIdHs oSI"eSh ~
Wilson's Hopes and Old Order Of
Things Likely to Be Advanced.
Rome, Jan. 4.-President Wilson has
been studying the plan for league
of nations given him while visiting
England and drawn up by General
SHUTS.
1t reflects the point of view OF the
British government and would call FOL
close economic and political co-opera'
ton without yielding national sover-
eighty. Moreover, it cOntemplates alb
sOlute freedom of action for every
state.
1t would require disputes be submit
ted to international tribunals, but EN-
phasizes the necessity of being able to
participate in or refrain from accept
ing the decisions Of such a league in
cases where the mandates would sre'
cially affect the security of individual
nations.
In other words, the British do not
believe a perfect system is obtainable
Immediately and desire to bring about
q common concert or council possibly
through annual conferences Of foreign
ministers of all the powers for an open
discussion of the problems affecting
the world situation in the course Of q
year.
The idea seems to be to accomplish
in q
tional conferences transactions in
world diplomacy using the public opin-
ion of mankind as the great back
ground to keep the peace. The Brit
ish believe any nation refusing to sub
NIT its disputes to such an interna-
tional conference should be subject
to penalties on the part Of the league.
All this admittedly is a long step
forward because it means revision
from year to year Of the political de-
crees coming from such peace confer.
ences. 1t is a question whether such
a loose arrangement would prohibit
absolutely special agreements or al
liances.
Premier Clemenceau firmly believes
that 1t is necessary for the security Of
France that she be able to count upon
the help of England, Italy and Ameri-
ca in any emergency. The people of
England, during Mr.. Wilson's visit,
vehemently applauded his statements
in opposition to balances of power.
There seems to be no question that
the American delegation is counting
on the strong moral support Of Eng
land to prevent return to the old
situation over-optimistically to- say
the establishment Of new order bas-
ed on the idealism hitherto expressed
is yet in sight.
Some compromise solutions will be
advanced eventually, but it. is prob
able that neither the hopes Of Mr..
Wilson for a more idealistic settle
ment nor sharp disagreement by rea-
son of insistence upon. the old order
viii come to pass. a mean Derween
the two extremes seems more likely to
be adopted.
Mr.. Wilson could make an issue
upon the situation and withdraw abso-
lutely from any participation in the
settlement Of European questions, al
liances and treaties, keeping free
hand, as has been Americas policy.
This would mean the necessity for a
large army and navy.
But there is no sign the president
has been disturbed by the differences
publicly expressed. Rather, it appears
he hopes to convince Premier Clemen-
ceau Of the impossibility of Americans
entering any alliance except world
league.
The real difficulty of the situation
IL that the United States is not ac-
quainted WITH the facts of the war
and the numerous conferences between
statesmen before the arrival Of Mr..
Wilson.