THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17139, 19 April 1919, Page 8

THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

So far as can bo judged from the summary of the new covenant published to-day the League of Nations when established will be little more than the shadow of the powerful combination which Mr. Wilson outlined before he set out for Paris. If i this proves to be the case the weakness of tho league will be regretted no less by those who were doubters than by those who were enthusiastic believers in the scheme. Strangely enough the most serious blow struck at Mr. Wilson's ideal appears to have come from his own country. A declaration has been inserted, obviously at the request of the United States, that regional undertakings such as the Monroe Doctrine are not affected by the covenant. This in itself would not appear to seriously affect the authority of the league. If the United States insists upon maintaining peace in America without help the other contracting States need not regret being relieved of the responsibility, but the very insistence argues a distrust which is the reverse of hopeful for the future. It also provides the United States with a reasonable plea for increasing armaments, and so encouraging the international competition which it is the purpose of the league to check. Another vital amendment is that " the States contributing armed forces to deal with covenant breakers are safeguarded in the right to decide how far they concur in the recommendation of the council touching the amount of force, if any, that should be supplied." It is not made clear that this amendment is of American origin, but in view of the American comments on the first draft of the covenant there will be a suspicion that it is until an authoritative statement has been made to the contrary. Whatever its origin the clause would seem to completely destroy the disciplinary power of the league. If each State is to be left to decide whether it will take part '"n enforcing the league's decisions there is real danger of the covenant becoming a mere " scrap of paper" with no substantial force behind it. To be successful the league must have the respect, even the fear, of grasping and scheming nations such as Germany. Otherwise its formation may be labour in vain, and its existence may become a positive danger to the peace of the world.