The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-05
Frederick Haskin's Letter
Plan for a Governed World
(SbeciA Correspondents of


The states were flooded with paper
currency of little value which
speedily became worthless.
STATES Acted independently.
Some of the states were nego-
tiating separate treaties. Others
were carrying on private wars with
the Indians. The states maintain
ed their own armies. The credit
Of the new republic was very bad.
Every social experimenter was
shouting his fayorlte remedy from
the housetops. Not a few were
clamoring for a monarchy. In this
grave situation, Alexander Hamil-
! ton suggested a convention to re-
wise the articles Of confederation.
Congress ratified this suggestion on
Feb. 81, rIST.
When the convention met, George
Washington was chosen as its
chairman. The work got under
way slowly Eventually a bold
change of plan was decided on. In
stead of revising the articles Of
confederation, tbs delegates decid-
ed to draw up a new document for
the approval of the people. In this
idea was the inception OF the con-
stitution of the United States. The
result Of these deliberations every
body knows-or should know.
The American Peace society now
puts forward Suggestions for a
governed world, which may be
briefly summarized as urging the
nations to agree as follows:
/ l. To institute conferences of ma
tons at regular intervals in con-
tinuation of the two conferences at
The Hague.
2. To convoke a conference as
soon as possible for the advance
ment and extension of international
law.
3. To establish an administrative
council of diplomats accredited TO
| the country in which the interna-
( tional law conference is held, to
represent the interests of their
governments until succeeding con-
ferences on internatioal law con-
Yene.
4. To authorize the administra-
tive council to appoint an execu-
tive committee or secretary's Of
fee outside of its own members, to
perform prescribed duties.
5. To empower the administra-
tive council to appoint other nee
essary committees.
6. To empower the administrative
council to name necessary techni-
cal advisors.
Z. To employ good offices, media
ton and friendly composition
wherever feasible and practicable
in their own disputes, and to urge
the employment of these means in
! cases of disputes between other
nations.
s. To organize a commission OF
inquiry for investigation and re
port on international disputes.
8. To provide a council of con
citations for international dis
putes other than those in the juris
dictiOn of the commission of in
quiry.
10. To arbitrate differences of an
international character not other
wise provided for, and in the alb
sence of an agreement to the con-
trary, submit them to the perma-
nent court of arbitration at The
Hague.
II. To set up an international
court of justice to which, upon
failure of diplomacy, all states shall
have direct access.
II. To enlarge the jurisdiction Of
this court from time to time by
the extension of the rules of inter
national law.
49, To apply inwardly in inter
national law as d rule of law for
the decision of all questions inyOlv-
ing its principles, and Outwardly to
apply international law to all ques-
tiOns arising between and among
all nations. so far as they involve
the law of nations.
IA. To furnish the citizens and
subjects of the nations adequate
instruction in their international
obligations and duties, as well as
their rights and prerogatives; to
take all steps necessary to render
such instruction effective, thus ere
ating that international mind" and
enlightened public opinion ntces-
sary for the successful effort to
bring about the observance Of
those standards of morality. honor.
and justice-which force has fail
ed to accomplish in the past.