The Daily News. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1919. THE RULES OF PEACE.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 February 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1919. THE RULES OF PEACE.

Now that the full text of the League of Nations covenant has been officially published a clear conception of its aims and constitution is possible. It must be remembered, however, that the scheme is only in draft and not finally settled, so that it is possible —even probable—that some of the details may be revised and altered. Apparently the general scheme has met with approval, although it is a startingly novel and bold venture. In theory the idea is most attractive, but such a world-wide experiment demands to be judged by its practicability rather than by its idealism. Already the French delegates are emphasising its weakest points, which they feel very keenly. They point out that after all the covenant is a mere scrap of paper, and that to obtain the necessary security for France it is imperative there should be an adequate military force capable of being mobilised at short notice and utilised to prevent any further attack by Germany on France. Four times « JL fejuadred have &h^

French been called upon to meet cruel and barbarous enemies and to be subject to devastation, and the delegates cannot bring themselves to place any faith in an era of permanent peace unless an international armed force is provided to prevent war. There is much in this contention, but President "Wilson is well aware that the American legislature would never sanction such a proposal. Just now the nations are war-weary and anxious to pin their faith on any scheme that promises freedom from hostilities for the immediate future, but there appears to be no visible evidence of a change in national views that would justify the permanence of pacifist ideals. The'preamble of the covenant sets out that the function of the League is to promote international co-op-eration and obtain international peace and security by the acceptance of obligations not to resort to war, also to maintain a just and true respect for, all treaty obligations. However good intentions may be and however lofty are the aims of the framers of this alluring scheme, common sense demands that something more substantial than recorded opinions is necessary to secure and maintain the peace of the world. A wild beast may be tamed to obey the word of command and be amenable generally to the crack of the whip, but there is always the uncertainty of a reversion to primitive instincts, and the emergency has to be provided for. So is it with the nations who have been trained for generations in the school of war—they are only kept from hostilities by superior force, and we fear it will be so for all time. It will be noticed that article XII, contains a provision (amongst others) that the high contracting parties agree in no case to resort to war without previously submitting their disputes to arbitration or inquiry by the Executive Council of the League. Very elaborate arrangements are set forth relative to this arbitrament, but when we come to the question of how a defiant nation is to be dealt with when refusing to obey the award, it is at once evident that the only course of action for the other members of the league is to brand the offending nation as having committed an act of war, but instead of declaring war on the offender the weapon of the boycott is to be used, though the duty is cast on the Executive Council o): recommending what effective military or naval force the members of the League shall severally contribute to the armed fore* to be used to protect the League's covenants. Meanwhile, the coven-ant-breaking State hsa had a long start in military preparations during the period of the attempt to settle matters by peaceful means, and, taking Germany as an example, that interval would be used to the utmost. Curiously enough no provision for meeting the emergency of a sudden declaration of war, followed up by prompt hostilities, as in the case of Germany against France, seems to have bean included in the draft, and it is just this emergency that France fears and is so anxious should be met in a way that will justify her feeling secure. Article VIII recognises the principle that the maintenance of peace requires a reduction of national armaments to the lowest point consistent with national safety, and the Executive Council is to formulate plans for effecting such reduction, and is to determine for the consideration and action of the several Governments what military equipment and armament would be fair and reasonable. Provision is also made for a proposed control of the manufacture of munitions and implements of war. In this connection it is interesting to note the suggestion that the new armistice terms to be imposed on Germany should provide for the destruction of all plant for the manufacture of munitions and war implements and that steps be taken to ensure this demand being carried out Prevention is better than cur.?, aud there is no question that the'prevention of manufacture of implements of war, coupled with the abolition of all standing armies would be a greater factor for peace than the most stringent rules and conditions that could b<> framed for signature bv national representatives. Unfortunately no nation can carry on without military forces to supplement the guardians of the peace in times of upheaval, so that it is necessary to provide for a sufficient force to deal with internal troubles, but if the nations will agree to limit their military establishments to this extent, and the manufacture of ignitions and war implements can be solely entrusted to any one particular nation—America for instance—then a definite advance will have been made in solving the problem. The constitution of the League gives the death blow to annexation of territory, and as President Wilson has abandoned his freedom of the seas folly the foundation has been laid for good work by the League. It is not so strong a foundation as could be wished for, but it may be improved and solidified in the light of experience. At present it is a grand ideal, but has the making