New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-08-22
Danziig

The evil effects OF the banzlg set
dement, have been reemphasized
through the Red invasion of Poland.
Possession Of Danzig is vital to Po-
lands self-defense. Loss of that
link in her communications with her
most active Western ally, France,
made it extremely difficult to check
the Soviet advance on Warsaw and
Thorn. Non-possession of Danzig is
q continuing threat to Poland's
military security.
This city, formerly Polish, should
have been given outright to the
Poles. The thirteenth of President
Wilson's Fourteen Points promised
the revived Polish state free and
secure access to the sea- But such
access has been denied through the
conversion Of Danzig into free
city, under the control of the League
Of Nations. The representative of
the league in that part has recently
refused to allow French munitions,
destined TO the Polish armies. to be
landed and forwarded through the
Polish corridor" up the NistuIa.
At tile Peace Conference the
Unite3 States and France favored a
complete redemption of the pledge
made to the Polish people. But
British influence interviewed to pre-
vent Poland's acquisition of the Bal
tic outlet which she needs. Danzig. a
League Of Nations appanage, has
been closed to her in her extremity,
although she is a member of the
league and the assailant overrun-
nlng her territory is not a member.
Giving Danzig to the league has.
in fact, affected Poland in this crisis
almost as injuriously as if it had
been allowed to remain German.
The League OF Nations is bound.
under Article X Of the covenant, to
preserve. against external aggres-
sion, the territorial integrity of
every member. y ct the league took
no steps to halt the Red armies
which were hammering at the gates
Of Warsaw
By Article II the league is re-
quired to take notice of any war af-
iecting d member Of the league. The
League Council sent word to Russia
that II would like to investigate the
quarrel between the Red government
and Poland. Lenine declined to re-
eelve commission representing the
council. Article NNII Of the cove
Aant provide that if non-member
State refuse an invitation to accept
Obligations of membership for the
purpose Of setting a dispute, that
STATE, lpso facto, shall have COM
mltted an act of war against all the
members Of the league. and that the
council shall thereupon recommend
70 the members what military forces
Aey shall severally contribute for
use against the offending power.
1t IS the duty Of the league to
give military aid to Poland against
russia Danzig should be to-day a
military base for league action
against the Russian forces in Pc
land. Instead of that it is a closed
neutral port. The League Coun-
I'll has taken itself out of he Russo
rollsh dispute, because two at least
u the powers represented in the
council are unwilling to have it
junction. 1t cannot function with
"u' unanlmity. Therefore its con-
Hoi of Danzic is of no value to Po-
'ahd now and promises to be of little
VI no value in the future.
Inc peace conferences Danzig
s "a has worked badly. In
'1s''ce to the Poles it should be
'pshdoned-if there is any way to
a0shdon it--and the city should be
Incorporated in the Vistula "corri-
WIZ which will remain mockery
~ iohg as it doesn't include real
Baltic port.