Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-07-06
COMPLIMENT FROM THE LEAGUE

COME of the bitterest opponents of the
~ League of Nations, including. notably
Senator Lodge. laborcd energetically on be-
half of the naval reduction treaty and were
filled with content when the signatures OF
the participating nations were affixed IN
Washington.
Their joy suggests that of the contentious
pednnt on demonstrating to his own salts
faction that the "Iliad'' was not written by
Homer bur by another man Of the same
name.
For it is mere casustry to insist that tn"
safeguards of peace devised in America in
192l-22 differ in principle from those in
corporatcd in the Covenant Of the League
framed In Paris in 1910. This implied
harmony of spirit has now been accorded
specific and vivid form in Lord Robert
Cccils interesting proposal which has just
been presented to the Armament Commission
Of the League
As might have been expected, this dis
tinguished British statesman and undiSma ye,,
champion Of the much discussed doctrine
of international fraternity has interpreted
the Washington Conference as distinct in :
spiration for the LeaguC-not in the lCas t
rs q depressant. His program contains n
plan for extending, through the League. the
Washington accord to all the naval Powers
of the world. report on this subject Is
TO be prepared by the naval sub committee
for submission to the Assembly at its Sep
tcmber meeting.
Of much wider scope, tantamount indeed
to a new invitation to the United States to
assume international responsibilities. is his
design Of treaty involving military, naval
and aerial disarmament and containing what
amounts to a modification of the obligations
emphasized in the long debated Article Y
OF the Covenant
According to this latest project n system
Of tentative ratios is proposed, each unit
representing 10000 men. Under the pro.
visional scheme France would have six units.
ltaly four, Poland four. Great Britain and
Spain three, Sweden, Norway, Denmark,
Switzerland and Belgium two each. Portu
gal one. These proportions would apply
only to home forces. Germany, Austria,
Hungary and Bulgaria are provided for ac-
cording to the drastic limitations on their
armnments. set by the Treaty of Versailles
The contracting parties are to come to the
support Of a nation wantonly attacked, pro ).
vded that nation has complied with the dis
armament regulations. The instruments
promoting such move are to be n permanent
military commission and the Council of the
League.
Provision is made for the voluntary ad
herence Of the United States and other non
League nations, with the stipulation tina,
Western World Governments are exemp,
from obligations concerning Europe. Thel,
cooperative sphere Is to be the home terri
tory in the Pan American sense. This ar.
rnngement Is distinctly In line with Monroe
Doctrine principles, broadly applied, and
meets the objections Of nations of thi.
continent to interference in trans Atlantic
quarrels.
This Is an ambitious and ingenious ac.
commodation of the spirit of the League tc
realities. Bitter -enders, who 60 by the cari
and are particular about labels, are non,
The less likely to be embarrassed by SO pa,.
pable an extension Of the message of tb,
Washington Conference. That memorabl,
Congress may yet revitalze the League. Th,
hattery of imitation is implicit in the pro
posed adoption Of the ratio plan, one of tn,
novel and conspicuously stimulating feature
nf the Five Power Treaty