The New York herald., 1920-12-03
TAKING THE TEETH
OUT OF ARTICLE X.
League Committee Says 1t
Does Not Guarantee Ter
ritOrial Integrity.
HAS BEEN MISCONSTRUED
Move to Eliminate 1t Reported
as Assembly Considers
Court.
HAS BEEN MISCONSTRUED
nv LAURENCE r. ais.

Nv LAN REN&E n rGLS.
Special cable to TIE NEW YoaK HERALD
Copyright. 1890. By THE NEW YoRK HHeA-p.
GENEVA. Dec. 2-The forty-one States
represented here, through their repre-
sentatives on the committee on league
membership, joined tonight in a new
definition Of Article Y. Of the covenant,
which was obviously designed TO over
come the objections of the United
States 10 this article and TO secure her
adhesion to the present league.
This definition represents a distinct
modification of what has appeared to
many persons as the plain meaning of
the text of ''the heart Of the covenant
in that it expressly declares the article
does not guarantee territorial in
tegrity. but merely condemns ex-
ternal aggression OH the territorial in
tegrity and political independence" Of
league members The design is to re-
flute the assertion that Article X. was
a pledge to preserve the status quo.
Inducemcnt TO Americn.
The occa sion for offering this induce
ment TO america was afforded in con-
nection with the question raised by
President Motta OF Switzerland whether
Austria's admission to the league. bring
Ing her under the operation OF Article y. :
would mean that citizens OF voralberg
would not have chance OF sepa ra ting
from her. they having voted recently to
join Switzerland II Austria ever Joined
Germany. Here is the declaration OF the
committee on this point:
We are OF the opinion that the entry
OF Austria into the league will not in
any way prejudice or affect the question
so raised. We cannot help adding that
the suggestion that admission 10 the
league should have any such effect ap-
pears TO arise from misconstruction
OF Article y. It cannot be too emphat-
lcally stated that Article y. does not
guarantee the territorial integrity of
any member OF the league. All IL does
ls to condemn external aggression on
the territorial integrity and political in
dependence OF any member OF the league
and call upon the council TO consider
what can be done TO resist such aggres-
sion"
The understanding here tonight Is
that Lord Robert Cecil. representing the
Union Of South Africa, was principally
responsible for obtaining this new def
milton, he having told his friends here
that Article Y. was inserted originally
in the covenant against his Judgment.
In fact those fostering the present
movement are understood to be planning
to offer in the Assembly the proposal
that Article Y. be eliminated here and
now.
Differs From Wilson View.
II Is evident that to-night's definition
IL a shading and that IL contrasts with
the Interpretation which President Will
son himself seemed to place or the
article when he directed his .enta-
tive to participate In the bulgarian
treaty negotia tions over the objections
OF the Greek Premier. Eleutherios Vent
zelos. on the ground that Article \. gave
America vital interest In the Bull
garian boundaries.
To-nighrs declaration regarding Ar
ticle y. came on top OF the Assemolys
action to-day IN paving the way Tor
American negotiations through the
commission TO be appointed BY the
Council to consider all changes In the
covenant
Another development which still fur
ther seemed to encourage leaders hopes
that America would cease her objections
was Denmark's reply 20 the request that
she join In sending an International
force 60 wilma for the pleblscite there.
Denmark takes tho position that the
question must be referred TO her Parlia-
ment. although she accepts the principle.
This Interpretation by neutral while IL
may not have been In the minds Of the
covenant trainers. was not disputed by
the Council and was stressed BY league
supporters az showing that the United
states has the right 10 follow the same
course.
Ask Amend dments Committee.
The way was opened for negotiations
with the new Republican Administra-
ton in Washington for the making over
OF the League OF Nations covenant by
the adoption OF the Assembly resolu-
tion asking the Council to name q spe-
cial commission to study not only all
the amendments proposed here but all
which may be submitted by members
OF the society within a period to be fixed
by the Council
While this might seem to debar the
United States suggestions. unless they
were made through member state.
Arthur J. Baifour OF the British dele
CATION who Is virtually the author OF
the resolution. Immediately after the
session told THE NEW YORK HERALD
Cosliin sd on Scco d pdO~