Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-08-05
LEAGUE MEETS To
REDUCE ARMAMENT
To LOWEST FIGURE
First Step to End War TAX
en- by Commission Conn.,
posed of Military and Ma
val Officials

SAN SEBASTIAN, Spain, Aug. A.
The League Of Nations today took it's
first step to end war, in the opinion
of delegates to the league council
now meeting here.
The disarmament commission met
and made plans for survey of the
ornaments of the world, as a prelim-
mary to cutting down all ornaments
to the lowest possible figure.
Members of the disarmament COM
mission include the highest military,
naval and aerial authorities of
France, Britain, Spain, Italy, Brazil,
Belgium, Japan and Greece, under the
leadership of General Fayolle and
Admiral Lacaze, of France, and GEN
eral Gives and Admiral Calthorpe, Of
Great Britain.
The commission named three Sec
retaries who will be attached to the
league, consisting of a Briton to
handle naval matters, a Frenchman
for military affairs, and an Italian to
handle aerial matters After the sur
vey of the worlds. ornaments has
been completed and submitted, the
league will fix the maximum arma-
ments which will be permitted under
the rules. All surplus war material
will have to be destroyed.
The league council yesterday after
noon in secret session discussed the
mandates for Germany's former COL
onies, and the work of civilization
that must be done by the powers
holding such mandates. One Of the
first questions which must be decid-
ed is whether the liquor traffic shall
be abolished in Germary's former
possessions.
The league council on Monday
adopted the French plan for an inter
national general staff of military and
naval experts.
The United States formerly .oppos-
ed this general staff plan, but Leon
Bourgeoise and General Fayoolle of
France, took advantage of the alb.
sence of an American representative
from the council to put it through.
Under it. the forces of all nations
shall be at the disposal of the league.
Britain will head the naval division
of the staff and France the land OPP
erations division:
FRENCH STAFF PLAN
STARTS LEAGUE DEBATE
WASHINGTON, Aug. 4.-Fuel was
added to the flame Of partisan con-
troversy over the League of Nations
today by the action of the council
Of the league at San Sebastian, Spain,
in adopting the French plan for an
international general staff to control
operations of land and naval forces
of the league.
This proposal was strongly opposed
by President Wilson when he was
in Paris.
Opponents of the league at once
seized upon the councils action as
proof of all the predictions made in
the senate by the bitter-enders, that
entrance of the United States into
the league would involve surrender
OF sovereignty.
The leagues friends counter with
the statement that creation of the
staff, though not desired by the
United States, was merely prac-
teal means of carrying out the terms
| of the league covenant.
1t was pointed out in official cir
cles. that under Article x of the
league covenant, the council is to
advise" what means shall be taken
to prevent wars of aggression. Mem
| bers Of the council, 1t was assumed,
would not be competent to advise on
military or naval questions, hence
| the general staff, made up of ex-
{ perts, would simply prepare plans to
meet whatever situations should
arise, and such plans would guide the
council in it's advice or recommends
tons to the member nations.
Friends of the league also argued
/ that the adoption of the staff plan,
which the United States opposed,
would not have occurred had the
United States been a league member
and represented on the council, since
action by the council us required by
| the covenant to be unanimous.
| Officials refused to comment on
| the development, or on the possibility
| that Wilson might yet take steps to
! block creation of the staff.