A PRACTICAL SCHEME

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 33, 10 February 1919, Page 7

A PRACTICAL SCHEME

LORD CECIL'S PLAN ADOPTED

OUTLINE OF THE PRESENT DRAFT.

(UNITED rftKSS ASSOCIATION.—COPtRIGHT.)

(AUSTKALIAN-NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) PARIS, 7th February.

The barometer is rising to-day for the League of Nations. As they contemplate the new draft which has been issued the delegates must be astonished at its moderation and the practical power for good which has been concentrated with zealous unanimity upon the great project. The Commission has agreed on all vital principles and produced a draft which is stamped throughout with British practicalism, President Wilson's' scheme, which was founded on those of General Smuts-and Lord Philfimore, has been discarded in favour of one based upon Lord Robert Cecil's proposals. The draft provides for the continuation of the draft council as the beginning of the League, and the five Great Powers 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 must agree to observe the League restrictions concerning armaments and the general rules. The League's headquarters will be at the capital of the League, which will be chosen later A conference of all the members will be held there when required. This will be something like the plenary conferences now held in Paris. The Executive Council, consisting oE the Great Powers' representatives, will meet frequently—the idea is every two months, but the periods are not stated in the draft.

The constitution of the League guarantees the integrity and sovereignty, Of all members. The executive has considerable powers, and it can co-operate with delegates. Thus, if a dispute arose in the Southern Pacific, only the Australasian representatives would be summoned. The permanent machinery provided is strong and secret. It is headed by a Secretary-General, who has large initiating authority. The Secretariat will be constantly at work, investigating and preparing data for the executive's consideration. No provision is made for a President of the League. There is no cumbrous scheme for worldwide elections and referenda, the prospect merely being that the Premiers and Foreign Secretaries of the Great Powers will meet regularly, like the present council The draft provides three phases m settling disputes—first diplomacy, next arbitration, and then war; but war will only be permissible if, after three months' consideration, a disputant refuses the arbitrator's decision. Subordinate commissions dealing with labour, health, aerial questions, etc., will constantly work under the council. The nations can choose their delegates at will. This is a general outline of a lengthy scheme which will probably be ready for publication in a few days. Separate representation of the Dominions as separate signatories of the League was provided for in Lord Robert Cecil's scheme. It is stated that this has disappeared ' from the draft, but little anxiety is felt that it will -ultimately be included. All tht Dominion delegations are resolutely determined that it shall be included, and Sir Robert Borden is most active in his insistence. The draft will doubtless be further amended before it is finally adopted. -