THE GREAT LEAGUE ESTABLISHES WORLD BROTHERHOOD

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10210, 21 February 1919, Page 5

THE GREAT LEAGUE

ESTABLISHES WORLD BROTHERHOOD

UNION OF WILLS IN A COMMON PURPOSE. WILSON'S HISTORICAL ADDRESS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn. and Renter. NEW YORK, February 18. In his address at the Peace Conferonce on the League of Nations, after reading the text of the covenant. President Wilson said:— "It has been obvious throughout cur discussion that though there are subjects upon which there are individual differences of judgmont in regard to the method by which the objects are to bo obtained, there' is practically no point of any serious difference of opinion or motive as to the objocts wo arc seeking. Fourteen nations were represented, and the significance of the result therefore wa-s that deepest of all meanings, tho union of wills in a common purpose, a union which cannot bo resisted, and which I dare say no nation will run the risk of attempting to resist.'' Referring to the character of the documont, the President said:— "It is very simple, and in nothing so simple as in the structure which it suggests for the ijeaguo of Nations—a body of delegates or executive council, and a permanent secretariat. We are depending primarily and chiefly upon one great lores, the moral force of the public opinion of the world, releasing, clarifying, and accomplishing tho influences of publicity, so that sinister designs can be drawn into the open and promptly destroyed by the overwhelming light of the universal expression of the condemnation of the world. Armed forco is in the background; and if moral forco does not suffice, physical force shall. We have finished with annexations of helpless peoples." In some instances, the President continued, such annexations were used merely for exploitation. "It has been one of the many distressing revelations of recent years that Germany, just happily defeated, had put intolerable burdens and injustices upon colonies which had been annexed in its interest, rather for their extermination than for their development." In. conclusion, the President said: "The document makes an end of that. In future States will be picked which have atreay shown that they can exercise conscience in tho matter, and under their tutelage the helpless peoples of the world will come into a new light and a new hope. The miasma of destruction and intrigue will be cleared away. Men are now looking eye to eye, and saying: 'We are brothers, and have a common purpose. We have not realised this before; now we do; and this is our covenant of friendship.' " DENUNCIATION OF LEAGUE IN U.S. SENATE. ABANDONMENT OF MONROE DOCTRINE. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. WASHINGTON, February ID. Senator Poindexter, in the Senate, donounced the League of Nations aa overthrowing the Monroe Doctrine and abandoning the historic policies of the United States. . Europe would in future, he said, be able to claim the same right of interference in American affairs as the United States could claim in European. PRESIDENT WILSON'S ANTICIPATION IN CONGRESS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received February 20, 9.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, February 16. A Washington message states that President Wilson cabled to each member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee asking him to dino with him on February 26th, when he will ex- | plain the League of Nations Covenant 'article by article. He asks them to come for this opportunity to explain the Covenant before it is subjected to [debate in Congress. | PRESIDENT SAID TO BE DIS- ' APPOINTED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. .WASHINGTON, February 16. The "Now York Sun's" Paris correspondent states that President Wilson does not believe the League of Nations is an accomplished fact, or that its path in the future will not bo beset by perils. He is greatly disappointed with the Covenant's failure to assure religious tolerance. APPRECIATION BY "PHILADELPHIA PRESS." Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received February 20, 11.10 p.m.) NEW YORK, February 17. The "Philadelphia Press," comment ing on tho League of Nations, praises its constitution. It says it is a real League, and thinks the plan to bring economic pressure against any League member breaking tho Covenant is excellently devised. The "Press" says President Wilson owes a great debt to General Smuts and Lord Robert Cecil for their- assistance in the elaboration of the League's Constitution giving Great Powers five votes on an Executive Council of nine. One of tho most important features is that the Great Powers are responsible for the practical working of th*e League; therefore minor States should not be permitted equal authority with the Groat Powers, which would perilously interfere with the League's efficient operation.