Evening star., 1941-11-16

The fourth and perhaps most un-
fortunate fault in the League of Ma
tions was its lack Of universally. The
abstention from membership of the
United States and the temporary ex-
clusion of both Germany and Russia,
served to stamp the organization as
combination of victorious nations. more
interested in maintaining the subjuga-
ton of the vanquished than in estab-
fishing the machinery of world order.
Defects Must Be Avoided Hereafter.
If these criticisms are justified, and
there can be little doubt as to their es-
sential validity, they have direct bear
ing on the character of the settlement
which should be sought at the close Of
the present war. If that is not to repeat
the failure of Geneva it must avoid
the major defects of the League which
is now dead.
This means, in the first place definite
separation Of the peace which terminates
hostiljties and the agreements estab-
fishing the new international organiza-
ton which will undoubtedly be attempt
ed. If the war ends in complete dead
lock. which seems increasingly possible.
this separation would in any case be the
natural procedure. There would be an
armistce, perhaps Of some years dura-
ton, during which the foundations of a
world society could be firmly laid in a
steadily, if slowly, improving psycholog-
ical atmosphere.
The second development to be antici-
o,1I ynl fOp &c +6r
ing of sovereignty, so that narrow ma
tionalism will not in future impede the
operation Of whatever international ma
chinery is set up. In this connection the
doctrine of collective security. and sane
tions against a judicially determined ag-
gressor should be emphasized. For if
sovereignty can be pooled in the max
ing of war it will be much easier to ac-
complish the same end for the constru--
tive works of peace.
The pooling Of sovereignty, hoWevc",
should be developed along regional line
as is the natural tendency Of politlci
evolution.
League Machinery Can Be Salvaged.
The United States cannot intelligent
police jIle UOIOtIS DtlNeeIl 1IldlldIlU al.
Indo- China, any more than a Chine
and japanese mixed commission cOu.-
effectively mediate a quarrel betWee-.
Nicaragua and Costa Rica affecting Ii
interests of the United States. But
the overcentralization of the League {
Nations is avoided, if local disputes a.
first handled by regional mechanism
/ uioirlo eypor1la " no oeareS toCe+
practical basis of international c.
operation will have been established.
On the technical and humanitarian
side. all of the machinery Of the Leaguc
Of Nations can be salvaged, for this Is
still in good order and able to resume
! full operation the minute firing stops
But on the political SIDE, where the
failure has been complete, substantial
and far-reaching notifications will have
to be made. And from this endeavor
America must not let itself be isolated.
During the period of the Geneva ex-
pertinent it was maintained in theory
! that the small nations had equal rights
with the great powers. Actually, as
shown by the special privileges given the
latter on the Council of the League this
was largely fictitious. though the pre-
tense was carried far enough to impede
the working of the organization.
Whether for better or worse. it seems
doubtful that the rights of small nations
will be as greatly safeguarded in the
international organization that is to
come. Cultural identity and minority
rights must certainly be protected. But
in its own sphere or region the most
powerful nation is likely to dominate
politically, much as the United States
now dominates Panama and Cuba. The
hope is that between these self-govern-
ing regions, after a liberal order has
been made secure in each, some method
of effective cooperation may be evolved.
Such an outcome will be slow but is
not impossible. There is. indeed a hope
full side to the clear tendency of modern
war to engulf all the great powers in its
scope. If they can be thus united in
blind passion for destruction, it is not un.
reasonable to anticipate their eventual
orderly cooperation for the preserva-
ton of peace.