South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-10-17

pertinent memories.
Here in America there grew up a
great movement in favor Of a
League TO Enforce Peace which
should propose a practical program.
The League was organized in 1915.
in Philadelphia; its first president
was eX-Pres't Taft: Judge Parker.
of New York. its first vice-president;
the chairman OF its executive COM
m1ttee was A. Lawrence Lowell,
president of Harvard: among it's of
hcers are found the names Of those
most distinguished in America IN all
the higher realms of intellectual and
moral endeavor; while it's member
ship comprised philanthropists, law
yers, editors. educators. merchants,
manufacturers, men and women, re-
publicans and democrats-the very
choice spirits OF the republic. The
principles of the League were four:
System Outlined For League.
We believe 1t 10 be desirable for
the nation TO join a league Of ma
tons binding the signatories to the
following:
First: All justiciable questions
arising between the signatory pow
ers, not settled by negotiation, shall,
subject TO the limitations Of treaties.
be submitted 10 a judicial tribunal
for hearing and judgment. both
upon the merits and upon any is
sue as TO its Jurisdiction Of the
question
Second: All other questions
arising between the signatories, and
not settled by negotiation, shall be
submitted 10 a council OF concilia-
ton for hearing, consideration and
recommended ton
Third: The signatory powers
shall jointly use forthwith both their
economic and military forces agains.
any one Of their number that goes
to war, or commits acts of hostil-
ity. against another OF the Signator-
ies before any question arising shall
be submitted as provided in the
foregoing.
Fourth: Conferences between
the signatory powers shall be held
from time TO time TO formulate and
codify rules OF international law.
which, unless some signatory shall
signify its dissent within a stated
period, shall thereafter govern in
the decisions OF the judicial tribunal
mentioned in article one"
Authority For Article Y.
Somewhat later. the third article
OF the Leagues program was inter-
preted 10 mean:
The signatory powers shall joint
ly use. forthwith, their economic
forces against any Of their number
that refuses to submit any question
which arises TO an international ju-
dicial tribunal or council OF concilia-
ton before issuing an ultimatum or
threatening war. They shall fol-
low this by the joint use Of their
military forces against that nation
If it actually proceeds 20 make war
or invades another's territory"
Given Wide Publicity.
The proposals OF the League were
given wide publicity, among other
things being submitted 10 a refer
endum by the cham Der Of commerce
OF the United States, representing a
constituency OF $4,000 business
men. firms and corporations in
every state in the union, and 90 per
cent Of the vote in that referendum
favored the proposals OF the League.
In order 10 impress the purpose Of
the League upon the public mind.
and particularly in order 70 bring il
10 the attention OF the president and
the congress OF the United States. its
first annual meeting was called in
Washington, IN the month OF May,
1915.
The great series OF public meet
ings OF the convention, addressed by
the leaders OF American thought
without political distinction, termin-
ated in a banquet at the New VIII
lard hotel. 20 which the president
was invited. The whole purpose OF
the convention was 10 secure a dec
laratiOn OF the program OF the
League as the purpose OF America,
through the president as the offic-
ial spokesman OF the nation. But
three speeches were made az the
banquet; an able and eloquent ar