DRAFT OF LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 119, 13 February 1919, Page 5

DRAFT OF LEAGUE OF NATIONS

CONTRACTING PARTIES' OBLIGATIONS

REDUCTION OF NATIONAL ARMAMENTS

MORAL SUASION THE MAIN WEAPON

By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright (Eec. February 12, 7.50 p.m.)

„, Paris, February 10. lne League of Nations draft contains the preamble and a' short scries- of articles, each of which is concise and precise, being remarkably free from diplomatic and legal verbiage. The preamble states that the League is founded for and aiihs at the promotion of international co-operation in order to secure international peace and security and acceptance of obligations, not by resort to arms, but by the firm establishment of understandings of international law as the actual rule of conduct amongst Governments, aud by the maintenance of justice cud scrupulous' respect for all treaty obligations in the dealings of organised peoples with.one another.

The conditions governing the actions of the high contracting parties under .the covenant are then set out. They provide that the purposes of the high contracting parties are to be effected through, the instrumentality of meetings of delegates, known as the Body of Delegates, and also, by the meeting at more frequent intervals of the Executive Council, which consists of,representatives of the United States, the British Empire,.France, Italy, and .Tapan, with two representatives of the other States which are members of the League. These latter, being appointed by the Body of Delegates, will work on such principles aud methods as the Body of Delegates shall direct. Thus the latter is made the controlling authority to this general extent. There has been discussion whether the Five Powers should have four or five members, and the point has not yet been determined.

Meetings of the executive will be held from time to. time as occasion requires, but at least once a year, either at the seat of the. League or another place. At these meetings any matter within the sphere of the League's actions or affecting the peace of the world may be dealt with. It has been agreed that the first meeting of the Body of Delegates and the executive will be summoned by the President of the United, States, but it should be clearly understood that the proposal has not emanated from the United States. ' .

The commission has abandoned the term Secretary-General for the head' of the permanent Secretariat for that of Chancellor of the League. This official will direct the Secretariat, which will be established at the seat of the league. The Secretariat's expenses will be shared by the States' members on the basis of the distribution used for the expenses of the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union.

The representatives of the high contracting parties'and all the League's officials will enjoy diplomatic privileges and immunities. Tlie League's buildings are to be regarded as extra-territorial.

There is likely to be a good deal of discussion respecting, the provisions for .admission of nations, which are not signatories of the covenant, including Germany. It is proposed that admission shall require the assent of.not less than two-thirds of the Body of Delegates, but no.State will bo admitted unless it. agrees that its naval and military forces shall conform to tho standard prescribed for it from time to time by. the League. A further provision states that by a similar majority the League may impose upon any State seeking admission such conditions as it thinks fit. Only selfgoverning States shall be admitted to membership. Colonies enjoying full powors of' self-government may bo admitted. Thero is a prospect of India being admitted. The draft proceeds to recognise the principlo that the maintenance of .peace requires- tho reduction of national .armaments to the lowest point consistent with national safety, and the enforcement by common action of international obligations. The executive is to formulate plans for effecting such a reduction, and also to determine what military equipment and armament are fair and reasonable in proportion to tho scale of the forces laid down in tho process of disarmament. These limits, when adopted, shall .not be exceeded without tho Body of Delegates' permission. An important proviso is that tho high contracting parties shall agree that munitions and implements of war shall not be manufactured by private enterprise, and tho executive is to devise, how the practice can be dispensed with. The parties shall further agree upon a full and frank publicity as to national armament and military naval programmes. The basis of arbitration is outlined, providing that if diplomacy or the executive's efforts fail to arrange a. dispute it must be referred to arbitration nfter three months' delay. It is proposed that this arbitration shall be generally undertaken ' by a permanent international court of justice which shall be established. Tho main weapon of the League will 1)2, therefore, moral suasion, but economic, military, and naval methods will not be disregarded—United Service.

TO BE PRESENTED TO PARLIAMENT ' FOR'APPROVAL. London, February 11. Mr. Lloyd George said that the Society of Natipns was progressing satisfactorily. The-British representatives would sign'the treaty provisionally, but Parliament might reject or ratify it as it desired, when it was presented, in accordance with the Constitution, for approval. -Aus.-N.Z. Cable -Assn.