The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-09-04


league covenant Is that while the
covenant gives each nation the
right of appointing there repre-
sentatives to the assembly, all
real authority is confined to what
are called the principal allied and
associated powers, in other
words, the United States, the
British empire. France, Italy and
Japan.
While the assembly may
deal at it's meetings with any
matter within the sphere of
action of the league, or affecting
the peace of the world the
council has the exclusive right
to formulate plans for the reduc-
ton of ornaments Of the several
governments.
Armaments may not be In
creased without consent of the
council.
The council is to advise how
the manufacture Of war NUM-
tions by private enterprise may
be prevented.
The council shall advise as to
aggression or danger to any
country, requiring the protection
of the league.
When war is threatened any
member of the league, the secre-
tary general, on request, shall
forthwith summon a meeting OF
the council. 4
II any disagreement occurs be-
tween members of the league,
they are to submit the quarrel
to arbitration, or to inquiry by
the council.
In the event of failure to carry
out an award, the council shall
propose what steps should be
taken to give effect to the award.
The council shall formulate
plans for the establishment OF an
international court of justice.
If any dispute ARISE between
members Of the league. likely to
lead to rupture. and not sub
mitted to arbitration, 1t is to be
submitted to the council. and the
council shall endeavor to effect
settlement of the dispute.
Should any member OF the
league resort to war, IN disre-
gard of the league, the council
shall recommend what military
or naval forces the members OF
the league shall contribute to-
ward suppressing the offending
member.
If any member violates any
covenant, it may be expelled
from the league, by a vote OF the
council
In a dispute arising between a
member of the league and
country not a member. such nom
member may be invited to ac-
cept the obligations Of member
ship, upon such terms as the
council may deem just.
All manufactures snail render
the council an annual report, in
reference to the territory com
mitted to its charge.
The degree of authority or
control exercised by a manda-
tory, II not previously agreed
upon by the league, shall be de-
fined in each case by the council.
The secretary OF the league
shall, subject to the consent OF
the council, collect and dis
tribute all matters of interna.
tfonal interest or information.
From these matters reserved
for the exclusive control of the
council, it will be observed that
the assembly is relegated to the
status of an international debat-
ing society, without the power
of compelling one Of its recon-
mendations to be accepted.
Ostensibly, the assembly is the
popular branch, where each mem
Der of the league may send three
representatives; practically, the
assembly has no voice whatever
in the direction of affairs.
Just how long the assembly,
composed of the direct represen-
tatiyes of the league members,
will be content to meet, drink
pink tea, and go home, without
having a voice IN the manage
ment Of the worlds activities, is
easy to predict. Nations OF the
world will not send representa-
tives to such a geldingized as
sembly, nor long continue to trust
its affairs to the absolute control
OF selected few.
The whole structure Of the
proposed covenant is so well cal
culated to produce drscord, jeal-
ousy and discomfort, that 1t can
not long endure.
Even If any attention were
paid to the recommendations Of
the assembly, the insignificant
part the United States VIII have
in it is anything bur attractive.
Under the proposed covenant,
the United States will be en-.
titled to three members OF the
assembly, and one member Of the
council; at the same time Great
Britain and her dominions viii
be entitled to eighteen members
of the assembly, and one member
Of the council. In any matters
arising in the assembly where
the interest Of Great Britain run
counter to those or the United
States, can there be any ques-
ton as to which one would gain
its point? With eighteen mem
bers to trade with other coun-
tries, as against three on the
part of the United States, we
would stand abou, as much
chance of survival as the tradi-
tional man with taIlow legs in