San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-09-06
Washington Wonders If
Versailles Pact Will Be-
come "Scrap."
LEAGUE BINDS ITALY
Must Carry Out Pledges or
Withdraw From Ranks
of Organization.
Ry DAVID LAWRENCE.

Copyright, by the San Antonio Light.
Washington, ID. G., Sept. 6.-Will
. the treaty of Versailles become a
SCRAP of paper:"
+, Something more than a passing in
terest is being taken here in the out
come of the controversy between Italy
and the League of Nations.
While officially no part is taken,
the conviction obtains that Italy is
bound by her plighted word so long as
she is n member of the league, and
that il she doesn't like the league she
has the right TO withdraw.
But even withdrawal cannot be ef-
fected without fulfilling obligations al
. ready incurred and the viewpoint Of
international lawyers is that Italy
: cannot escape jurisdiction of the
league covenant simply by announcing
her intention TO withdraw.
Two years notice must be given
and the member must have discharged
all obligations under the covenant be-
fore being released from member
ship.
, While Washington is the last place
in the world TO argue the merits or
! dement's of the league. nevertheless it
: is realized that the covenant of the
: league is so interviewer in the treaty
of Versailles that disrespect for one
) article of the treaty might be employed
as n precedent for other nations 10 dis
regard any article of the treny Of
. Versailles which doesn't suit them.
Peace Is Imperiied.
noL In
neva, the whole structure of the set
Element following the great European
war is imperiled.
: The United States government, rec
ognizing that the covenant is part OF
the treaty of Versailles, took especial
pains in ratifying a pact with Ger
many 10 exclude those portions of the
. Versailles treaty which embraced the
! league.
France has, since the war, insisted
. upon the literal fulfillment of the
: treaty of Versailles.
1t was realized from the start that
questions might arise as TO the mean
, ing of articles Of the covenant.
The permanent court OF interna-
. tional justice was set up as means
= of interpreting the legal antiquities
of the covenant.
! France, just the other day, however.
refused TO submit 10 the permanent
court the question Of whether she had
the right under the Versailles treaty
TO Occupy the RUhr.
But her refusal 10 submit the con-
troversy is n sovereign right.
Should general war be threatened,
France would be compelled 10 submit
the Ruhr controversy for considera-
ton az least by the league.
Italy has more or less Of a prece-
dent in the action of the French.
This gives, TO some extent, q clue
70 the British policy affirmed by Lord
Robert Cecil of insisting on a settle
'nent OF the Greek-Italian controversy
By the league.
!. Great Britain wishes to see how far
France is willing 10 uphold the spirit
a. well as the letter of the league
when some other nation violates the
treaty Of Versailles.
- The British, il is noted here, have
seized uDOn a delicate subject which
has a significance far beyond the NOR
It's Of the dispute between Italy and
Greece.
Whatever France does in the Italian
controversy may be employed against
her when the reparation problem or
the Ruhr occupation develops into a
question Of rights under the treaty
OF Versailles and hostilities with Ger
many.
America is anxious to preserve the
friendship of Mussolini and the Italian
government so nothing is being said
which could be construed as interfer-
,enee in what is looked upon as a pure
~ European affair.
The argument, however, that Greece
has no right TO appeal to the League
. OF Nations because the Athens govern
lnent is the product of revolution and
, is not a legal government. is received
. with considerable amusement.
Fascist Mgrch Recalled.
The bold march on Rome bv hun
! dreds of thousands Of armed Fascist
who compelled the Italian ministry TO
resign and the king to give power 10
Mussolini under duress. is recalled ms
having a bearing on the legality of
!. Italy's government, the confroyersv
! orer which, in Italy itself. has NOT
yet subsided among students Of CON.