Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-11-29
canadian POSITION
On LEAGUE DEFINED
Minister of Justice Doherty
Says Dominion Favors
Its Basic Idea.
BY PAUL SCOTT MowRER.

" Cable to The Star and Chicago Daily News.
Copyright. 1920.
PARIS, November 29-The Rt. Hon.
Charles J. Doherty, minister OF JUS
tice and Canadian delegate. who has
,een very active in the league of ma
lions assembly debates at Geneva,
gives the writer the following state
nent as to Canada's position regard
Canada is broad country with
100000 people who are perhaps not
III of the same mind. But gener-
ally Canadians are cordially sympa-
hectic with the basic idea of the
eague. Perhaps later they would like
delete or substantially modify some
IF the undesirable clauses. We be-
lieve that the creation of a parlia-
world and above all the universally
admitted need Of peace is boon to
humanity.
Field for Retarding Wars.
1.-The world must not be discouraged
or lose faith because of the lack Of
Immediate results. A delegate has
said that the league was not born
Hercules. To expect the league to
abolish war would be to cherish a de-
fision. Doctors do not abolish death. but
they prolong life and mitigate suf-
fcring. Likewise the league has a
vast field for retarding and diminish
ng wars and mitigating the horrors
If war.
at is well for the council and the
most important reason for their ex-
istence. There is danger of the
leagues concerning itself too much
with the solution of lesser economic
problems properly falling to the in
dividual nations.
at is well for the nations in the
council and assembly to remember
that justice is the one thing more
precious than peace. because 1t is
the sole foundation upon which peace
can rest. Today where justice is in
volved few questions remain domes-
tic. Injustice. even when confined
within a nations borders. makes an
appeal to humanity for redress. and
unredressed is apt to provoke re.
sort to war.
Responsibilities of Nations.
Certain clauses in the league COW
enant seem unfair to small nations,
Canada belongs to this class. having
having general interests have been
given the predominating power and
control, but the distinction is forgot
ten when burdens and obligations are
imposed. In this regard, great and
small, powerful and weak, general or
is especially exemplified bys article x,
which makes the members mutual In
surers Of territorial integrity against
external aggression. Justly, consid-
Grafton should have been given to the
comparative danger. Canada's risk
is comparatively nil. yet she Is asked
to insure many countries readily
thought Of as in constant danger OF
aggression.
British Empires Votes.
"You.ask about the British empires
six votes. To that reply that the
British empire has no six votes. for
each nation is distinct member OF
the league. Though associated in
partnership OF commonwealth and
owing allegiance to one king, eacn
is an Independent nation.
'"The status Of equality exists. none
controlling the vote of the other:
Canada's vote is Canada's vote ana
will be given subject to the control
only of the Canadian people acting
through their parliamentary repre-
sentatives. Canada's point OF view
lie so nearly like that of the United
States that we feel we are not over,
sar,euine in hoping that the United
states will feel that she has much
more to gain than to fear from Can
ada's vote"
It may be pointed out that Canada
voted against Britain on the labor
question. and Britain's representa-
five. G.. N, Barnes. was displeased to
find that he did not speak for the
British empire. Likewise, Australia
would surely side with the United
states on certain Pacific ocean ques-
tions.