New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1920-09-17
MAY HAVE
FORTY MEMBERS
SOME OF THE ENEMY COUNTRIES
MAY BE ADMITTED AT THE
MEETING IN NOVEMBER.
COUNCILS EIGHT SESSIONS
At Every One of Them Some Impor-
tant Movement Toward Closer
World Cooperation and General
Peace Was Set on Foot.
BY JAMES p.

tedCc was Set on fOot.
BY JAMES P. HORNADAY.
Washington.-With the League of
Nations coming to the front as the
leading issue III this years preslden-
tial campaign, interest in what the
league Is actually doing naturally ill.,
creases. Ii has been in operation
since. the treaty of Versailles, COM
monty referred to as the treaty of
peace with Germany, was ratified by
the governments that participated in
the making of the treaty, with the ex-
ception of the United States, and it's
acceptance by Germany. Forty-tive
governments Were originally set down
us possible members of the league. Up
TO this time 81 nations have entered
the league. OF the 10 nations that
were regarded as possible members
only five have indicated III unwilling
hess to become members. These are
the United States, Cuba, Haiti, Nicara-
Gca and Honduras. The three others
have thus far not shown any prefer
ence for or against.
Several nations that were not re-
garded as possible early members OF
the league when the Versailles treaty
was signed have made formal appli-
cation for membership and the out
look is that when the league assembly
meets in Geneva November 10 the
membership will be increased to 40 In
any event. There is the possibility
that some Of the enemy countries, that
Is to say, countries that We're arrayed
against the allies and the United
States in the world war, will be aid
mitted to membership In the league
at the November meeting, So the state
department here understands.
What the Council Has Done.
The council of the league has held
eight meetings since the league be-
came IA going concern. The latest of
these was held at san Sebastian,
Spain, and has just completed its
work. -Four of these meetings were
held In London. two in Paris, one In
Rome and one, as just noted, in San
Sebastian. The reports of these meet
ings on file at the state department
here show that at every meeting
some movement of importance looking
TO closer world cooperation was set
on foot. The more important actions
by the council at these meetings are
as follows:
There was set In motion the process
through which "A permanent court of
justice would be estab-
there was appointed IL perma-
lent transit commission and an ad-
visory committee N naval, military
and air questions: there was estab-
lished a department for dealing with
racial minorities and the question of
nandatOries; a plan for the registra-
lion of treaties was agreed On an in
financial congress which is
o meet In Brussels September "A was
preliminary steps toward deal
ng with the question of the freedom
# communications throughout the
world and arranging for an intcrna-
iOnal conference on this step mex
were taken; arrangements
we're perfected whereby a permanent
mixed commission will be appointed
" the assembly and the council OF the
eague to deal with the question of
economic and financial b~lOckades in
such blOckades shall become nee
"A commission was created 10
i've advice to the league as to dis
rInament.
OF course many other questions of !
Amor Importance were dealt with at Z
hese eight meetings of the council. I
he creation Of a cOnsultive body ]
'ithin the League of Nations which
) to advise the league regarding re- 4
trictlons on the manufacture of arms
nd munitions by the various member /
ations has led 10 the false impression, r
D 1t is asserted, that some sort of a G
eneral army staff was created ut the
an Sebastian meeting of the council. a
Prohibition Not an Issue. :
Prohibition is not To be an issue b
the presidential campaign. SO far ;
, the public declarations of the r
vO old parties are concerned, either "
he of them, If successful, will y
Ivor the enforcement of the law, fl
Ist as is it In favor Of enforce o
ent of other federal laws. Neither 81
lrty in convention was willing to b.
AXE any promises whatsoever with "
spect to the modification Of the en- II
rcing legislation. and it is pretty 81
ell understood that the presidential
,minees will go through the cam te
ign without making any pledges e
ong this line. OF
The wet interests were somewhat u,
V this failure to OBJ ii
in any measure of support from b,
her of the old political parties. N
lese interests had hoped that one or as
e other of the parties would get be- dc
nd modifying legislation. The fail st
G of both to come to the rescue of ia
2 vets has convinced n good MANY ar
rsons, who were not entirely CON ot
need before the national conventions &c
held. that prohibition is here TO tn
iy. They arrive at this decision in
-ough reasoning that the longer the ra
Dhibition amendment is in effect. mi
, more difficult it will be to undo SCI
/. work 1t is performing. 1t is con- sta
yable, say persons who take this lie,