The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-09-24

Nations authorities have. from the
first. been determined not to wait
until everything was "in its place
before beginning to function, but to
function at once. whenever possible
to the fun extent of their capacity.
The good result of this policy is
seen in the splendid record of worl;
already accomplished by the council
The Inauguration of a process by
which permanent court of interna-
tional justice might be established F.;
the careful investigation of the inter-
national financial situation, resulting
in the summoaing of an international
financial congress to assemble in
Brussels on the 25th OF the presen,
month; the appointment of q perma-
nent transit commission: the setting
tary, naval, and air questions; the
establishment of a department to deal
with questions relating to mandatorie :
and racial minorities: and last but
by no means least, the creation of a
department for the registration OF
treaties are some of the achievements
of the League Of Nations council,
during the past year. And so, al
though the assembly is not yet COM
plete, the thirty-nine nations at pres
ent represented upon it are determined
TO meet at Geneva, next November,
to confer together, for the first time
in history, on matters affecting the
peace of the world"
The latest reports show that the
work of preparation for the meeting
of the great congress is going on
apace. Every day that passes adds to
the clarity with which the idea is
taking shape. Thus, q letter recently
addressed to all the members of the
league by the secretary-general re-
quests them to communicate to him
the subjects which they desire TO have
included on the agenda for the as
sembly. Amongst the matters already
on the agenda are such questions as
the accession of new states to the
league, lne election of the council of
the league of four new members to
substitute the temperament mem
bers, and the all-important task of
passing on the work already accom-
plished by the council and approving
the project, as at present constituted,
for the establishment of international
justice at The Hague.
Another task of very immediate
Importance which will engage the at
tention of the assembly will be the
consideration of questions arising out
of Article XVI of the covenant. which
provides for an economic blockade as
a means Of enforcing the decisions of
the league. 1t is generally recognized
that the economic blockade Is likely
to be the most practical and effective
sanction of the leagues authority. one
much more in keeping with the
leagues character, and much more
readily organized than a sanction of
military character. Once. therefore.
such organization has been completed
as will give practical effect to Article
XVI, it is felt that the league will
be equipped to act in all circumstances
with the necessary powers to enforce
its decisions.
Beyond these specific questions,
however, there are many others not
yet formulated, and herein undoubt-
edly lies the chief Importance of the
great gathering next November. The
assembly is entitled to deal with any
question affecting the peace of the
"orio' ana whilst it is possible to i'm
aglhe SO grand a sanction leading
10 the presentation of issues too
numerous to be dealt with at Geneva.
undoubtedly means will be found for
sitting the really important from
the really unimportant, the. sincere
from the more or less fictitious. thus
preserving the character of the league.
as a great and effective court of an
peal intact. The practical effect of
the meeting Of the assembly is likely
TO be immediate and striking In many
directions, but perhaps its most i'm
mediate and most striking effect will
be produced by the simple fact of its
meeting. There is much virtue in
the fact accomplished. Whether it is
a question of flying across the Straits
Oh Dover, or across the Atlantic, or
over the Andes, the moment il is
done, there is no gainsaying it, And.
so when thirty-nine states, represent-
ing seven-eights of the human race
meet at Geneva and confer together
on matters affecting the peace Of the
world, such an event WILL it may be
definitely place the League
OF Nations where it will be accepted
generally as a great and necessary