LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 10 February 1919, Page 5

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

-BAROMETER RISING.^ "PRACTICAL SCHEME EVOLVING. Received Feb. 9, 5.5 p.m. Paris, Feb, 7. The barometer is rising to-day for the league of nations, as they contemplate a new draft, which has been issued. Delegates must be astonished at its moderation and practical power for good, concentrating with zealous unanimity upon the great project. The commission has agreed on all the vital principles and produced the draft. It is stamped throughout with British practicalism. President Wilson's scheme, which was founded on General Smuts' and Lord Phillimore's plans, has been discarded in favor of Lord Cecil's as the basis of the draft. It provides for the continuation of the present council as the league's beginning. The five great Powers here are named as the basis for the league. They have power to bring in members, but every new member must be elected by a two-thirds vote and agree to observe the league restrictions concerning armaments. The general rules provide that the league's headquarters shall be at the capital of the league, which will be chosen later, where a conference of all members meets when required. This is something like the plenary conference at Paris. The executive council consists of the great Powers' representatives, and will meet frequently—the idea is every two months, but the periods are not stated in the draft. Within the league's constitution, which guarantees the integrity and sovereignty of all members, the executive has considerable powers. It can co-operate with delegates. Thus, if a dispute arose in the southern Pacific the Australasian representatives would be summoned. The only permanent machinery provided is a strong secretariat. It is headed by a secretary-general, who has large initiating authority. The secretariat will be constantly working, investigating and preparing data for the executive's consideration. No provision is made for a president of the league. There is a cumbrous scheme for world-wide elections and referendums, the prospect merely being the great Powers' premiers and foreign secretaries meeting regularly like the present council. The draft provides three phases in settling disputes—first diplomacy, next arbitration, then war; but war is only permissible if, after three months' consideration, the disputant refuses the arbitrators' decision. Subordinate commissions of labor, health, aerial, etc., will constantly work under the council. Third, nations can choose,their delegates at will. This is a general outline of a lengthy scheme, which will probably be Teady for publication in a few days. Separate representation of the Dominions, as separate signatories of the league, was provided in Lord Cecil's scheme. It is stated that it is disappearing from the draft, but little anxiety is felt that it will be ultimately included, as all Dominion delegations are resolutely determined thereupon. Sir R. Borden is most active in his insistence. The draft will doubtless be further amended before it is finally adopted.— Aus. N.Z, Cable Assoc. Received Feb. 9, 5.15 p.m. Paris, Feb. 7. Although it seems certain that compulsory arbitration will not be part of the constitution of the league of nations, the league will use the economic pressure of the blockade to enforce its decisions. —Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. WILSON'S AMBITION TO BE PRESIDENT. Received Feb. 8, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 7. The Central News' Paris correspondent states that President Wilson's ambition is to be the first president of the league of nations. The permanent executive will be composed of the world's leading statesmen. —Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. Received Feb. 9, 5.15 p.m. London, Feb. 6. The commission on the society of nations has agreed on all the main points. —Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.