Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-03-29
V|v|AN| SUNS Up
VIEWS ON LEAGUE
IN FOURTEEN POINTS
BY RENE vIVIANI
Leased Wire Service to The Journal.)
DOWNRIGHT 1921

PARIS, March 26.-The greatest
problem of today is the League OF
Nations. An exchange of views,
therefore, is better than silence, even
If it should not result in agreement.
We in France have been blamed for
accepting the league from President
Wilson without first inquiring if it
was approved by the United States
senate. Certainly. out of respect for
the American nation. we could not
question Mr.. Wilson's right to speak
for his country. 1t is to be regretted
that this puristic political misunder-
standing, resulting from our very re-
spect for the laws and officials of
the United States. continues.
The situation with respect to the
league, however, may be summed UP
as follows:
1. The League of Nations pact has
been ratified by France, England
italy, Belgium and others. We hope
that America, while dissatisfied her
self, will appreciate the fact that
these countries have accomplished an
dCL WulCII IllCJ ScIIlAAOI AOPN0Ae"SS'
2. The pact proclaims itself sub
ject to revision. I am a member Of
the committee on amendments, forty
already have been proposed. Others
undoubtedly will be.
8. The pact no longer belongs to
governments. The league alone Is
Sovereign and alone has the power OF
modification.
Need Americas Aid
4. The cooperation Of America Is
indispensable to humanity. Amer
icas presence always is desirable at
any meetings of minds of conse-
quences.
5. American statesmen seem deter
mined on the destruction of the
covenant. Article ten, they say, is
threat against national independ-
ence, it creates a super-goVernment
Article ten is Objectionable for very
different reasons. 1t merely author
ICES suggestions and therefore prom
Uses more than 1t can fulfill.
6. Whatever may be ones concep-
ton, a league. a society, or an as
ISOLATION, means reciprocal obliga-
tions. When two individuals form
partnership they seek to increase
their separate strength in collective
strength, but they also undertake
other
Z. Whatever sort of combination is
proposed-if it really is to be COM
bination-there must be an exchange
of duties and rights by the assocl-
ates. So if Americans desire to form
combination, the question is how how
will they form an association with
out committing themselves to any
thing. or without receiving commit
ments in return?
8. Some persons complain that the
league is a political organism which
should be replaced by a judicial or
ganism We already have had The
Hague court. composed Of eminent
jurists. In the past they have done
their best, but they never have been
obeyed.
8. The league in September last
created a court of justice which was
accepted by all of it's members; by
some instantly, by others in accord
ance with the procedure required by
their constitution.
10. If a court Is established ma
lions must not bring before 1t mere.
ly their commercial. industrial anc
economic interests. Indeed no, fol
we are striving toward the time wher
conflicts of national pride. which are
stir up entire population, thereby be
coming irremediable. will likewise be
settled judicially. Unless these con
ficts are brought Immediately be.
fore the court the most profound
and most poisonous causes of wal
would be beyond it's jurisdiction.
Lessons Independence
IL. Even those who desire only
court restricted in its consideration
and authority to purely economic
questions must realize that mem
bership in such a court diminishe!
to some extent national independ
| ence. Whenever man or nation
instead of taking justice in its owl
hands, defers to the decision of an
other, there may be said to have beer
a certain abdication of sovereignty
IL. Since no international organl
cation, whether it be called league o,
court. can be joined without some
sacrifice of individual initiative, on
must be logical and straightforward
and either refuse adhesion so as tt
| remain completely independent, OF
gain through the collective strength
of association, a greater power thai
| would be possible for one to pos
sess alone.
10. When the court is through de
liberating what is to become of it,
decisions. Will they be Theoretical
decisions, the enforcement of whicl
will depend on the good faith of tn
parties in the cause? In that cas-
of the war have not been gathered
If, after that great calamity, we ar
not further advanced than TIL
Hague court, whose decisions ever
when unanimous concerning the law!
of war, were trampled derisively
truly the war has taught us nothing
The court of justice-whatever it
form-will either be a laughing
stock or power. 1t cannot be ;
power unless it is armed with mean
| to enforce international sentence!
against refractory nations.
IA. The idea of court Of justice
even if the court is separated from
the league, cannot avail much unles!
peoples form an association at who's
door they will lay aside, in appear
ance at least, their sovereignty.
say in appearance for when I joil
any association I don't abandon m!
independence; but I do add it to thu
| independence of others.