Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-07-15
League Covenant Drafter
Sees Hope in New Charter
Viscount Cecil Feels, However, That Veto Power
Sets Up Oligarchy Rather Than to Be
Desired Democracy
Bv discount Cecil of ChelUood


taken unless the Big Five were 'unani-
mously in favor of it, even though one
of them was charged with actual or
threatened aggression. That, in the
discussions, came to be called the veto of
each of the Big Five, as it obviously is.
Sets Up Oligarchy.
This amounts to giving to each of
these powers immunity from the CO.
ercive powers OF the organization. In
other words, it changes it from an inter-
national democracy to an oligarchy. I
cannot see how this can be defended.
The organization is expressly stated
to be based ION the sovereign equality of
all it's members" That is the right
principle. 1t is not in any way infringed
by laying upon certain of its members
a special responsibility for maintaining
peace any more than the doctrine of
equality before the law of all the sub
the police certain duty to enforce the
law.
But 20 one would suggest that po-
liceman who broke the law should not
be compelled to keep it except with his
own consent No doubt, in an interna-
tional conference questions should be
settled by agreement and that involves
compromise. 1t may well be that in
this case practical harm may not ensue,
particularly for the first few years, and
I welcome. therefore. the prospect that
is held out that the terms of the Char
ter may be reviewed in 10 years or less
when it is seen how it works. Mean
while, full power is given to the assembly
to discuss any question unless it is being
dealt with by the Security Council.
Since such discussion must necessarily
be in public, that is a valuable safe
guard for justice.
Praises Truman Speech.
On the whole, then, the peace ma
chinery of the Charter ought to be
enough. In that connection we must
not forget the very valuable powers
given to the secretary-general to call
attention to any threat to peace. That
is great improvement on the covenant.
But to me the most encouraging
event was the great speech delivered by
President Truman at the close of the
conference, to which I have seen no
objection in any quarter. I venture to
quote some of the valuable statements
he then made. He said, THE Charter
will be expanded and improved as time
goes on" and that "if we fail to use it
we shall betray those who have died.
And if We seek to use it selfishly
or for the advantage of one nation we
shall be equally guilty of that betrayal"
and finally that "by their own example
the strong nations of the world should
lead the way TO international Justice"
Those are great words. If these ideals
are adhered to, not only in speech or on
paper but continuously in action, the
trainers OF the Charter will be justified
All depends on the use that is made of
it or the support it receives.
Our foreign secretary, Mr.. Eden, told
us the other day that the Charter Is
the first step. believe 1t is in the main
good first step on the right road 1t
is now for 'the peoples" in whose name
it has been settled to take care that
the right road is followed until we reach
the goal of secure and permanent peace.