THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 252, 18 July 1919, Page 13

THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS

■ * — - A PACT TO PRESERVE THE WORLD'S PEACE POINTS OF A NOTABLE AGREEMENT NO MORE "SCRAPS OF PAPER"

The next nation which dishonours its treaty obligations—be it Germany or any other—will find itself faced by a. disciplinary combination of international force especially created for the frustration of such treachery. There will be no moro "scraps of paner." The League of .Nations has been duly established under a solemn covenant :— 1. To promote international co-opera-tion and secure international peace and security by acceptance of obligations not to resort to war, by prescription of open, iust, and honourable relations between nations bv the firm establishment of understandings of international law as tho actual rule of conduct among Governments, and by the maintenance of a iust and scrupulous respect of all treaty obligations in the dealings of organised peoples with one another, the Powers signatory to this covenant; adopt this condition of the League of Nations. 2. To-reduce national armaments to tho lowest point consistent with national safetv. control the private manufacture of munitions and implements of war, and arrange for a frank interchange of information regarding military and naval programmes. There, is to be no dictation as to the size of national armaments, but the council will recommend what military or naval force the members shall contribute to protect tho covenants of the League. 3. To respect and preserve against external aggression, ■ the- permanent integrity and existing political' independence of all members of the League. 4. To deal with all matters affecting international disputes and decide upon measures necessary to prevent disagreements developing into open rupture and

hostilities. "The high contracting par- ~ ties." savs the covenant, "agree in no case to resort to war without previously submitting their unadjustablc disputes ■' to arbitration or inquiry by the Executive Council, and until three moutlw after an award by the arbitrators or a recommendation by Hie Executive Coun- ' oil. and will not even then resort, to,' " war asninst a member of the League''.' who cnmnlies with such, award or recommendation. 5. To impose in concert upon any State '■■.[;_'. guilty of n breach of. the covenant an economic blockade, and together with tho..;/ employment of such military and naval'-''!... measures as may be deemed necessary. .\'".'"'".' I!. To■• receive from the mandatory' " States in respect of the control of. tlia ..' ex-German colonies annual reports on the-' ■ administration and progress of the lorn-'"-torios assigned to (hem. ' ..":""''. 7. To endeavour to secure and main- . ' lain fair and humane conditions of In-., hour for men, women, and children in ; their own and all countries to which ■■■ their commercial and industrial relations..'..." extend, and to establish as part of the---,; organisation of tho League n permanent.'....Labour Bureau. .— '.!, '.;. It is also provided that regional under- '.'.■ standings, of-which the Monroe doctrine..:-.:.-of the United States of America is-tho.! best-known example, shall not be affect- ."-.' ed. . • '. '. . .-';'.: Members can withdraw from -tho ,'--'■ League on giving two years' notice, and-. .>;• if thev violate, its covenants they may be . .'■ expelled. ; -,•,-,-, ;-;";,. The covenant makes provision for'■ tire--: y-\ admission of Germany and Hitssia'.to-.fhe ,-v . League when they can 1m trusted to.. hon_vj !.-••': our their obligations. - •;; ;----: J .