The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-29
LEAGUE FINDS WAY
TO SOUND HARDING
Continued from First Page.

present structure and open it to the
fresh air of democracy. That. I feel
sure. should be the desire of the United
States"
Disclosure of the proceedings of two
Of the important committees OF the
League Assembly to-day explains the
fears of many that the United States will
be found more antagonistic than ever to
the League of Nations as a result OF
what is happening here.
In the commission dealing with the
economic blockade men like Lord Robert
Cecil are pressing for very strict appli-
cation of the covenant Lord Robert has
made long argument that Article XVI.
requires that all members exercise
against covenant breakers the fullest
economic pressure and said that the
Council would have complete control the
only question being merely one Of pro-
viding machinery to inform the Powers
that an emergency existed.
Delegates Lang of Norway, Fock of
Holland and even Millen of Australia
objected strenuousy to any such con-
struction upon Article XVI, saying that
conditions differed in respect to each
country. and this should be recognized.
Holland stoutly contended that the co,ln-
ell could not command each State, but
that the State must be the judge of its
own actions.
H. A. l.. Fisher of Great Britain and
Leon Bourgeois Of France both took the
extreme position, insisting that the eco
nomic blockade Is the real weapon OF the
lea que. that the counc alone Is respon-
sible for its application and that MEM
Der States are required automatically TO
enforce its DEGREES.
This contention, If applied to the
United States, would deprive Congress
of any right whatever in the matter, as
was brought out in the debates In the
Senate at Washington.
A sub-commission has been appointed
to try to reconcile these views, as being
one of the chief issues here touching
uopn the very heart of the covenant.
regarding which many nations contend
they were not consulted when the pact
was drawn. Some have already pro-
posed amendments which will remove
them from its full operation, but the
amendments have been sidetracked.
They now seem to fear that the coven-
ant, In the event of sudden war, might
be applied in full measure to them.
Raw Materials Problem.
The other question affecting the
American position is that concerning the
row going on here over the question of
raw materials. which Is dividing the
Assembly more than any other issue.
The reasons for this became evident to-
day with the publication in full OF the
resolution of Gustave Ador of Switzer-
land.
This resolution pretends to carry out
ha II ne
conference. but also includes the plan Of
Signor Tittoni of Italy for rationing raw
materials. 1t calls upon the Assembly
to recognize the necessity of constitut-
ing a permanent economic and financial
committee the duties of which will be
the preparation of a general economic
and financial conference In 1921, the
examination of the institution of an in
ternational credit organization on the
basis of the principles set forth in
Article XXIII. of the Covenant, which as
sures all states equitable treatment, ex-
animation of measures for preventing
monopolies in raw materials and means
of controlling their distribution"
The bitterness OF these disputes is
shown by the fact that the nations are
confronted by the impossbility Of get
ting unanimfty on any such resolution,
nations like Italy. Belgium and Switzer-
land having refused to consent to the
elimination OF paragraphs embodying the
Tittoni scheme.
M. LaFontaine Of Belgium, another
prepayment. threatens to discuss before
the Assembly the whole question of con-
troll of raw materials by certain big ma
tons II the committee refuses to accept
the resolution. The adoption OF any such
resolution. delegate of the British EN-
plre told the correspondent of THE New
YORK HERALD to-day. might easily re-
suit In Great Britain and her Dominions
leaving the league. but he declared the
adoption Of any such proposal was alb
eolutely impossible. 1t would be most
unfortunate. he said, however, II such
an issue were brought up for discussion
In The Assembly, dividing the nations
and ifnperilling the league