San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-10-02
|TAL|AN-GREEk
ROW BOOST TO
LEAGUE STOCK
Sentiment Changes as Re-
suit of Controversy
Settlement.
DEPENDS ON WORLD
Italy Suffers Through De-
bate in Assembly Of
League.
Bv David Lawrence.

Convrirht by The san Antonio Light.
Washington. ID. C.. Oct. I. - Al
though friends OF the League of Ma
mons feared at the beginning OF the
Italian-Grcek controversy that seriors
damage would be done 10 the prestige
of the league unless it compelled Italy
10 submit the dispute to the league the
sentiment now has changed and adj
vocates of the league are pointing 10
what happened as convincing proof
that the league is not the super-state
its opponents predicted it would be
when American membership was be-
ing debated in the Senate.
The princi.al objection TO the
league. Id fact the argument effective
~ used by Senators Hiram Johnson
and BOrah and the irreconciliable
group. is that the league constitutes
military alliance and that it could
compel America to send her boys over
seas to fight European quarrels.
The entite debate ccntered upon
the moral obligation to render assist
anee il any European countries are
attacked.
There was no way by which the
friends OF the league at the time could
answer the argument. except by We
hement statements that the contrary
was the case.
Proof has been lacking till the cpl
sode occurred which caused Italy TO
seize Greek territory.
The fact that the controversy was
settled by the council of ambassadors
instead of the league hasn't stirred
up the friends of the latter who sim
ply say they never arrogated 10 them
selves. the exclusive right to mediate
between nations. but merely offered
the league machinery in case all other
means failed.
Another Prime Factor.
Another important development OF
the last few days which has strength
ened the conviction of those who be-
lieve the United States could enter
the league and still retain her ira
ditional freedom of action. deciding
to what extent she should intervene. if
at all, is the reception given Canada's
proposal that Article 10 of the coven-
ant be interpreted TO mean that each
nations own government shall be the
exclusive judge of the extent to which
assistance shall be rendered other
members OF the league.
The resolution was approved by all
the members with one exception. Per-
STA. and While this for the time be-
ing prevents the resolution from be-
ing officially spread on the records,
il does show the almost unanimous
opinion of the world that there Is no
moral or any other kind of obliga-
ton in Article ~ TO give aid to
member state.
in order to give even more effect TO
this view, the opinion OF the perman-
cnt court of international justice ut
The Hague has been asked and there
is no doubt that its decision will be in
line with the universal opinion oI the
covenant held by the member ma
tons.
This will answer the doubts of those
in America and Canada who have be-
lieved the league might compel them
some day 10 send troops abroad
against their legislative will.
The friends Of the league are in
clined TO agree with some of the state
nents of the opponents of the project.
namely that the league il weak.
They admit its defeat, but insist that
the league is not a bit stronger than
world civilization and obstructive
legislation will let it be and that it
can depend only on the conscience oC
the world for its future accomplish
lncnts in the realm of diplomacy.
though TO be sure its humanitarian
activities are not questioned.
In this connection the debate in the
league assembly. in which the course
Italy adopted in its dispute with
Greece was thoroughly exposed to the
light of publicity, is a novel affair
IN European history.
Americans are accustomed TO in
tluence their representatives in fed
/ eral and state legislatures by public
opinion. but until the league assembly
was formed. there was no clearing
house of opinion in Europe.
IT is significant that some Italians
privately admit that more damage
has been done to Italy's prestige
throughout the world than was gained
through the triumph over Greece.
The Italian government, for In
stance, Is making strenuous efforts
just now to win back American opin.
= Ion and the Italian ambassador. Prince
Caetani, has returned in the last few
days from Italy. with n determination
10 turn American opinion toward hi'
country.
The almost unanimous denunciatior
of Italy in the debates of the leagu,
assembly at Geneva may have ha.
back of them only the power of ora
tory and emotion and not the guns an,
troops which the sO-called militariSti
League was theoretically TO have fur
? niShed, but these same words are ex
erting a moral influence thrOughou
the world that may make the next ma
ticn pause before defying tribuna
Ia ,rl.tnh ..hn H. L.. 49,