THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 93, 14 January 1919, Page 5

THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS

ITS CONSTITUTION AND POWERS PAMPHLET BY GENERAL SMUTS By Telegraph—Press Asßoolation-OopyrUhi London, January 12. General Smuts, in an important pampHet upon the position and constitution of the League of Nations, expresses the opinion that the Peace Conference should regard itself as the first meeting of the'league. Tho prime principle of the settlement should be that, apart from Al-sace-Lorraine and the German colonies, thero should be no annexation of territories hy any of the victorious States. Probably Finland, Poland, , Czechoslovakia and Jugo-Slavia are capable of becoming independent States immediately, bt Trascancasia, _ Mesopotamia, Lebanon, and Syria will probably require the guiding liand of some external authority. Other countries, such as Palestine and Armenia sliould he controlled by the League' of, Nations, which may properly bo regarded as the reversionary of the . German, Austrian, Russian, and Turkish Empires, which have failed 1 because they are founded on the exploitation of weaker nationalities.

' Tho league must control not directlv, hut by nominating a particular State to act on its behalf. Such nomination should be conditioned by the people in question liaving the ripht to choose the Power which they prefer. They should have a maiidatorv'duty, though this.cannot be applied in cases whore it is impossible to consult tho country. . In forming tho league the two extremes to be avoided are a super-State sind a mere debating society. The league must be practically effective as a system of world government. . The council should bo small, and 1 composed of five permanent members, nominated by the British Empire, France, Italy, thn United States, and Japan. When Germany has a stable democratic Government she should nominate' another permanent member. To these should he added'four additional members, chosen from a panel representing the lesser Powers. _ such as Spain, Hungary, and Serbia, whose nominees . should serve in rotation. There, thus would be ten members in tlie council, which would resemble the Versailles Council. No resolution of the council should bo valid unless _ it was passed by more than a two-thirds raoiority. • , General Smuts is of opinion _ that conscription is tll<i tap-root of militarism, and unless it is cut out - our labours will be in vain. The members of the league must bind themselves not to go to war witli enoh-other until the council has arbitrated on the dispute. This .prohibition must be guaranteed by force, in addition to an eonnomifi nnd financial boycott.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.'

1 BRITISH PUNS FOR THE LEAGUE BEING W AMERI- • CAN.DELEGATION. , New York, January 12. _ A United Press 'correspondent in Paris states:—"The impression is growing" here that President Wilson and the American peace delegation are. givinp increased attention to the British nlans for the League of Nations, which may finnlly be adopted. Lord Robert Cecil, who has been the British authority on the league, is now constantly conferring with "the American, delegation. It is felt that Lord Cecil's virws closely coincide with President Wilson's."—'Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' . ; INTER-ALLIED CONFERENCE POSTPONED UNTIL BRITISH PREMJER ARRIVED. Paris, 9. The preliminary' inter-Allied conference fixed for January 9 wns postponpd until Mr.' Llovd George's arrival. M. Clomencoau will confnr with President Wilson and Colonel House on January 10. The dominions will no represented by a smnll deputation at the nre■liminary meeting, but are expected to claim and to be' granted , individual representation aR small nations.at wo ultimate Peace Conference.—Aus.-N.Z. Caßle Assn. ■ ' MR. LLOYD GEORGE 'AND MR, HUGHES REACH PARIS. Paris, Januarv 12.. •.Mγ. Lloyd Georgo and Mr. W. M. Hughes hare arrived.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.. ' MR. BONAT!~LAW TO FLY TO FRANCE. London, January 10. Mr. Bonar Law will flv to Frnncn on Saturday. Mr. Lloyd Goorge declined to fly.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. - SUPREME WAR COUNCIL • MEETING HELD IN PARIS. • (Rec. January 14, 1.15 a.nv) London, January 12. _ The Supreme War Council met in Paris on the afternpon of January a, and considered various matters. Marshal Foch raised the question of tue renewal of the armistice. President AVilson, Mr. Lloyd George, M. Clemencean, Signor Orlando, M. Pichon, Baroii Sonnino, Mr. B. Lansing, and Mr. A. J. Balfour were present. Marshal Foch, General Bliss, and Sir Henry Wilson attended during part of the proceedings. k\\ informal conference was hem afterwards, at which views woro exchanged regarding procedure and other questions connected with future peace conferences— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. DATE OF PRESIDENT WILSON'S RETURN HOME. . New York, January 12. The Paris correspondent of the Chicago "News" reports that President Wilson will probably return to the United States about .February ]•>:— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.