Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-31
Costa Rica Interpretation
Request Discussed at
Secret Session.
IURlSTS' DRAFT HOLDS
COUNCIL INCOMPETENT
Hypothetical Questions Must
Await Actual Issues, Belief
in Geneva.

GENEVA. August 81 P).--The
League Of Nations Council late today
reached a decision on the main
points Of its reply to the request of
Costa Rics for League interpreta-
tirn of the Monroe Doctrine.
The Council will meet again to-
morrow to revise and agree upon the
text Of the reply
A member of the Council told the
Associated Press that that body
has decided not to interpret the doc
trine. Thi is in accordance with
previous information.
By the Associated Press.
GENEVA. Switzerland August 31.--
The council of the League of Nations
met in secret session today and con-
sidered the recent request from Costa
Rica for a League Interpretation of the
Monroe Doctrine
The council failed TO reach an agree
ment concerning the request, but will
meet later today to continue its dis
cussion.
All previous indications concerning
the Costa Rican request are that the
council will decline to make an inter-
probation of the doctrine.
The tenor of the discussion showed
that the council was impressed with
the seriousness of the request and that
it wished to do nothing which would
displease the Latin American states or
which would embarrass or seem hostile
to the United States,
Survey Of Rule Given.
The Colombian delegate presented a
long historical survey OF the Monroe
Doctrine and It's application, referring
to the case of the Emperor Maximilian
of Mexico and also to the attitudes
adopted by Presidents Roosevelt and
wilson.
A member of the council told the
Associated Press later that while the
question was difficult, this did not mean
that an accord would not be reached.
Many members expressed desire To
express their views and consequently
the session was adjourned until later
IN the day.
1t is understood that the draft of q
reply prepared by jurists who are not
members of the Council says that the
League Is not competent TO attempt o
technical Interpretation OF the Monroe
Doctrine, which is recognized as a policy
of the United States.
Tenor of Draft
This draft suggests that the reply
en1body general explanation OF the
relation of the doctrine to the League
including emphasis that when the cove
nant was drafted, Article 81, which
mentions the Monroe Doctrine, was
deliberately made TO follow an article
stating that League members would
abrogate treaties inconsistent with the
covenant.
The draft reply stresses that Article
Il implies that regional understanding
such as the Monroe Doctrine. do not
fall within the category Of objection
able treaties. 1t continues that inclu.
sion of reference to the doctrine neither
added to nor subtracted from the doc
trtne, but simply left 1t where it was
declaration by one government, not
clearly defined, but accorded at least
quasi acceptance by some other.
This draft concludes with the state
ment that it is not desirable TO give
answers to hypothetical questions In
advance, but that 1t is preferable te
wait until actual cases involving the
doctrine arrive II looks upon the
covenant as an entity where one article
must be read in connection with all
others,