Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-05-11
PEACE IS CHEAP At
COST Of LEAGUE,
LAWRENCE AYERS
By DAVID LAWRENCE


| League of Nations has been in exis-
| tence for four months. What has It
to show in the way of positive results
thus far? The facts as obtained from
| official information here discloseS
ton is yet to be done but that plans
| for every branch of the leagues &C
Invites are fully under way.
Elihu Root, former secretary OF
state, will sail soon for London to act
! in an advisory capacity when the
construction of a permanent court of
| international justice is drawn up
| for submission to the assembly of the
| league at a later meeting this year.
Senator Knox in his recent speech adj
vocated such a court and so have 9TH
er leading republicans. 1t was pro-
vided for in the covenant of the
league and now is to be established
| by conference of the most eminent
jurists of all countries on June l at
| London.
The international court will handle
| all juridical questions, all disputes
between nations which are matters OF
law as a part from political questions.
But even political controversies be-
tween nations often involve a Dues
ton of law or facts and it will be
sembly of the League of Nations
where political problems will be con-
sidered always to refer a question OF
law or facts to the international court
for a judgment or opinion.
Three Conferences Called
Besides the meeting at London to
create an international court of JUS
tice, three other international con-
ferences are to be held under the aus
pieces of the League of Nations. The
financial conference at Brussels on
May % already has attracted the at
tention of the economic world, and
on June 3 there will be semen's
labor conference affecting shipping.
But the most important meeting in
the Immediate future is the session
of the council of the>league to be held
at Rome on May IA.
Plans will be approved at that
meeting for the admission Of new
states, for the converting of the as
sembly, for the constitution of a per-
manent ornaments commission, and
the registration of all new treaties
between members of the league.
Other questions will be taken up
such as central European relief and
the budget of the league, but 1t Is
significant that all member nations
will be required to register at this
meeting any treaties or agreements
they may have made with each other.
28 Nations Members
This is the first step in the era OF
publicity or open diplomacy on the
matter Of treaties. Indeed, the pro-
visions Of the league already apply
to the twenty-eight nations which are
Great Britain, France, Italy, Belgium,
Bolivia, Brazil, Czecho-Slovakia, Po-
land, Peru, Panama, Siam, Urguguay,
Liberia, and Guatemala-all or Whom
were in the war or signed the treaty
of Versailles-and the states when
were neutral but have joined the
league such as Argentine. Chile, Col
umbia, Denmark, Netherlands, Nor
way, Venezuela, Paraguay, Persia,
Salvador, Spain, Sweden and S"ltzer-
land.
bership list can best be understood
when it is considered that every one
of those twenty-eight nations, in
Guiding for instance Japan, is apso-
lutely pledged not to make war With
out first allowing nine months Tor
Investigation or arbitration or the
consideration of their disputes by the
council or assembly Of the League Oh
Nations. None of these nations can
now GO to war with each other or
with other powers on the spur OF the
moment without invoking the posi-.
HE ilI-will or even military force OF
all the other powers. The making OF
war is not prohibited after the nine
months period has elapsed nor would
military Intervention be consldereo
during that period il both parties
agreed to submit their case to in
nI1iry or arbitration. But for all prac-
eight nations have been tied for
nine month cooling off period.
Eleven Yet to Ratify
Only eleven states nave sIgneo In4
treaty of Versailles, but have noe
ratified it and so are not members OF
the league. These include the Unit
cd States, Cuba, Ecuador, Greece
Haiti. Honduras, Nicaragua, Portu-
gal, Rumania, F1edjaz, and me ied
Jugo-slav. states; emma a. I apSsaiIi
but will join the league by ratl1y1ng
the Austrian treaty which contains
the covenant of the league. Foor
other states-San Marine, LuAenlt
bourg. Georgia and Iceland, were no
mentioned in the orlginai4 o9t - The
hut have asked to be admitted 10 the
league. ~ osxed TO
ioin Concretely, the different meet,
ings of the council have accornpllSheu
tnG Tsnn rn 15-organized the council
and appointed the Saar basin iron
'iT Fehrnarv 11-Admitted Switzer-
land adopted rules of procedure for
the council, appointed the Saar paslll
governing commission, 5cG itlh tres e
for the protection Of minor1tles, APP
proved plans for the organization OF
fhe permanent court of international
Justice. for the freedom of com
munication and transit, and for the
International health office and sum,
married. the international financial
o 70 Apportion Budget
March 13-Approved plans Tor
sending a league commission OF IN
0uiry to Russia and took first steps
for the prevention of typhus In 70
April 9-Answered request Of su-
prene council that the league take
a mandate in Armenia with the state
ment that it would assume general
oversight for the time being.
The next meeting at Rome Will
follow the program already set forth
in the beginning of this dispatch:
The budget will be apport1oned
among the twenty-eight members.
The total cost of the league thus far
is about 100000, and the sum of
$2,500,000 is required for the next
fiscal year. When divided by twenty
eight, this is an insignificant sum as
government. expenses go, and rela-
lively small sum in an effort to keep
the world at peace.
BODIES of Soldiers