Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-09-06
AMERICA AWAITS
ACTION Of LEAGUE
IN GREEK DISPUTE
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
(Leased Wire Service to The Journal')

Copyright, 1921
WASHINGTON, Sept. 4.-Italy's
refusal to permit her controversy
with Greece to be considered by the
League of Nations at Geneva, on
the grounds that the present Greek
government has not been recog-
nized by the powers as legal, need
not prevent that league from as
Stunning jurisdiction.
This is the view taken by those
who have studied the covenant OF
the League of Nations, particularly
the famous Article II, which was
So often interpreted by President
Wilson in his speeches as giving any
nation the right to bring to the at
tention of the league any dispute IN
any part of the world likely to al
fetc the peace of the world wheth-
err it was between a member of the
league and a non-member.
Indeed, Lord Robert Cecil on his
recent visit to the United States
declared that under Article II, the
PREPARATION dispute could be cons1d-
cred but that out of Difference to
the wishes of France the contro-
versy had not been taken up because
the parties interested believed they
could ultimately adjust the matter
by direct negotiation between gov
ernments.
In the present case one of two
parties to the dispute actually ap-
pealed to the league which cannot
say it will keep hands off out of de-
ference to Italy without seeming to
take the side of Italy. The question
of whether the present Greek gov
eminent has the right to appeal TO
the league is not considered PERU
nent here for it is pointed out by In
ternational lawyers that the Greek
membership in the League OF Ma
lions is not a membership of any
particular administration or regime
but is permanent.
Full Membership
In other words, the Greek nation
enjoys the membership to the full
est extent irrespective of the exist
ing type of government In greece.
Nations do not lose their treaty
right simply because of an internal
revolution or domestic disturbance.
Ample precedent is afforded in the
case Of the United States and Next
CO.
No recognized government has ex'
listed in Mexico for several yaers but
the United States has insisted upon
protecting American property rights
under earlier treaties made between
the Mexican people and American
people.
The general feeling here is that
Italy has seized upon the preteXr
of an unrecognized government IN
Athens as a means of shelving the
issue so far as the league is con.
cerned. 1t involves the acid test OF
the leagues real strength. Should
the league of nations accept the
Italian Interpretation and keep
hands off, article II of the cove
nant will become dead letter ana
faith in the league itself Will be
lost by many of its warmest sup
porters. Should the league, on the
other hand, step in, and call Italy
to task for violating the Versallles
treaty-as the covenant is an in
tegraI part of the treaty-the pres.
tige of the Geneva institution Will
rise considerably.
The main value of the league
Winch has been admitted even by
its staunchest. opponents has been
that part of the Versailles covenant
which makes it obligatory for any
nation having a dispute with anoth-
er to wait at least three months be-
fore beginning hostility. The be-
lief was that during the three
months inquiry a peaceful solution
would be devised especially as ma
tional passions would be expected
to subside during the waiting period.
Test of Principle
The doctrine of a cooling off spell
was promulgated by Secretary OF
State William Jennings Bryan in
thirty treaties between the United
States and all the important pow
ers of the world except Turkey,
Japan, Germany and Mexico. There
never has been all important test OF
the principle until the present out
break of hostility between Greece
and Italy. The question now being
asked is whether a nation in time OF
excitement over a massacre of its
ClLlZ6nS WOulu De 1lhSly W CdIC %alAy
more for treaty obligations than did
Germany when she made a scrap
OF paper" out of her treaty with
Belgium in 1914.
While the United States govern
ment is not TAXI lg any part in the
effort to bring Italy and Greece to-
gether, the authorities here are
watching to see whether the media
ton of the League of Nations will
be successful. If it is not, there is
nothing to prevent the department
of state through American ambas-
sailors abroad from exercising good
Offices in an attempt to bring about
a peaceful settlement. The Italian
government just is very ViOus to
be on good terms with Washington
and might be more willing to listen
to a voice from afar than q Euro
pean intermediary. The next few
days will decide whether the old
Cushioned diplomatic intervention is
ba Of onu avail