Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 40, Number 197, 31 July 1915 — Page 7

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LABIUM'S SATURDAY I George Bernard Shaw's Comprehensive ecunng Lasting Peace en is

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War Ends

' 1 HE Fabian Society of : London la well known 4klndude the- eloverest socialist? of England, men who have had mono influence than any others in promoting recent social and v politioal progress fin that country. As its name suggests the society aims to achieve its objectafby strategy and persuasive arguments) "rather than by noise and violence. Bernard Shaw,;the most prominent so . del philosopher fen the country, is at present the leading spirit in the society, while among the other members are H. O. Wells, the scientific novelist; Sidney Webb, the author, and Percy Alden, M. P. Kier Hardie and Will Crooks, the noted Labor Members of Parliament, also belong tot$ The society, Reeling that the greatest duty of reformers to-day is to prevent a , repetition of the present colossal tragedy of war, appointed a committee of its ablest members to report on the best means of securing this object. The committee was headed by Bernard Shaw, with Sidney Webb, the best worker of the society, asfvice-chairman. Mr. Shaw's committee with great care and consideration drew up a plan which in their opinion would best avoid the recurrence of war in future. The Fabian Society urges; in the interest of all nations that thle adoption of this plan should be made a part of the peace terms. This newspaper has secured an exclusive copy of the Shaw committee's reJort by special arrangement and the first nil of the report is printed herewith. The Report THE object of the committee has been limited and practical. It has sought only to formulate, as a basis for InterSatlonal discussion and In tbe light of history and experience, the heads of an International agreement by wbich future wars may be as tar ac possible prevented. There is at least a Lcpe that, as a result of tbe existing terrible experience, a war-weary world may presently be willflng to construct some new international machinery which can be brought inte nlay to prewent the natloas from again being stampeded into Armageddon. . The first difficulty will be to get tbe Governments, either of the eight great Powers or of the forty - lesser States all of them necessarily wary' and suspicious to agree to the creation of b.ny such international machinery. Jt is therefore essential, it we are to be practical, to limit our proposals to that for which there is at i least some reason to expect consent. What is suggested Is, accordingly, no merging of Independent national units into a world-State." though to this Utopia future ages may well come. No impairment of sovereignty and no sacrifice of independence are proposed. Each State even remains quite free to go to war, in the last resort, if the dispute In which it is engaged proves Intractable. Moreover, natlonal disarmament to which at this moment no State will even dream of taking the smallest step is left to come about of itself, just as the individual carrying of arms falls silently into desuetude as and when fears of aggression die down before the rule of the law. The new world Ciiat we have to face at the conclusion of the war will, perforce, start from the ruins of the old. All that will be Immediately practicable can be presented as only a more systematic development of the rapidly multiplying arbitration treaties of the present century, and tbe conclusions of the two conventions of Tbe Hague. Only on some such lines, it Is suggested, can we reasonably hope, at this juncture, to get the Governments of the world to come Into the proposed agreement. The alternative towar Is law. What we have to do is to find some way of deciding differences between States, and of securing the same acquiescence in the decision as is now shown by individual citizens in a legal judgment. This involves the establishment of a supernational authority, which is the essence of our proposals. What Is suggested is, first, the establishment of an International High Court, to which the nations shall agree to submit, not all their possible differences and disputes, but only such as are. by their very lature, 'legal" or "Justiciable." Experience warrants the belief that the decisions of such a judicial tribunal, confined to the issues which the litigant States had submitted to It. would normally be accepted by them. Provision is made, however, for a oeries of "sanctions other than war," prlncipall. economic and social in character, by which all the constituent States could bring pressure to bear on any State not obeying a decision of the court. Alongside the International High Court, but without nithority over it. there should be an International Council, composed of representatives of such of the forty or fifty independent sovereign States of the world as may choose voluntarily to take part. It is proposed that this International Council should be differently constituted and organised according (1) as it acts as a world legislature . for codifying and amending International law, and for dealing with questions interesting only America or Europe respectively; or (2) is invoked by any constituent State to mediate in any dispute not of a nature to be submitted to the International High Court. It is not suggested that the enactments or the decisions of the International Council should, except to a very limited extent, be binding on States unwilling to ratify or acquiesce in them. Subject to the provisions made to prevent the proceedings being brought to naught by a tiny and unimportant minority, on matters of secondary importance, it is suggested that tbe International Council must content Itself, at any rate at . the outset, with that "greatest common measure" which commands general assent. Provision is made for an International Secretariat and an International Official Gazette, in which all treaties or agreements will be Immediately published, no others being recognized or regarded as enforceable. In view of the fact that no fewer -than twpntv-one out of the fortv to flftv fndeppnd-

Remarkable Sculpture by V. R. Natte Symbolizing the Fratricidal Horrors of War, Intended for the Decoration of The Hague Peace Tribunal and Exhibited at the Paris Salon Just Before the Present Conflict. One of the Most Notable of the Increasing Number of Artistic Works That Are Helping to Shape Public Opinion Against War.

ent sovereign States of the world are in America, the suggestion is made that there should be separate councils for Europe and America respectively, with suitable provision in each case for the safeguarding of the interests of other States. Moreover, as the position of the eight Great Powers (Austria-Hungary, the British Empire, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States), whicb govern among them three-fourths of all the population of the world and control ninetenths of its armaments, differs so greatly from that of the other two score States, provision is made both for their meeting in separate councils and for ratification of all proceedings by the council of the Great Powers. It is nowhere suggested that any one of the eight Great Powers can except by its own express ratification be made subject to any enactment or decision of the International Council that it may deem to impair its independence or its territorial integrity, or to require any alteration of Its internal laws. It follows, accordingly, that each State retains the right to go to war if, after due delay, it chooses to do so. What the several States are asked to bind themselves to are (a) to submit all disputes of the "legal" or "Justiciable" kind (but no others) to the decision of the International High Court, unless some special tribunal is preferred and agreed to; (b) to lay before the International Council, for inquiry, mediation, and eventual report, all disputes not "Justiciable" by the International High-Court or other tribunal; (c) in no case to proceed to any warlike operation, or commit any act of aggression, until twelve months after the dispute had been submitted to one or the other body; (d) to put in operation, if and when required, the sanctions (other than war) decreed by the International High Court; and, possibly the most essential of air these proposals, (e) to make common cause, even to the extent of war, against any constituent 8tate which violates this fundamental agreement. It remains to be said only that the adoption of this plan of preventing war the establishment of the proposed supernational authority is not dependent on. and need not wait for, the r.dhesion of all the independent sovereign States of the world. II. THE ARTICLES. The signatory States, desirous of prevent . lng any future outbreak of war, improving international relations, arriving by agreement at an authoritative codification of international law and facilitating the development of such Joint action as is exemplified by the International Postal Union, hereby agree and consent to tbe following Articles.

1 .V5.J The Establishment of a Supernational Authority. 1. There shall be established as soon as possible within the period of one year from the date hereof (a) an International High Court for the decision of justiciable issues between independent sovereign States; (b) an International Council with the double function of securing, by common agreement, such international legislation as may be practicable, and of promoting the settlement of non-justiciable issues between independent sovereign States; and (c) an International Secretariat. The Constituent States. 2. The independent sovereign States to be admitted as Constituent States, and hereinafter so described, shall be: (a) The belligerents in the present war; (b) The United States of America; " (c) Such other independent - sovereign States as have been represented at either of the Peace Conferences at The Hague, and na shall apply for admission within six months from the date of these Articles; and (d) Such other independent - sovereign States as may hereafter be admitted by tbe International Council. NOTE TO ARTICLE 2. The forty-four States represented at one or -other of the Hague Conferences were (i) the eight Great Powers viz., Austria-Hungary, the British Empire, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, and the United States; (ii.) tbe following fifteen other States of Europe vis.," Belgium. Bulgaria, Denmark, Greece, Holland. Luxem burg, Montenegro. Norway, Portugal. Rumania, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland. Turkey; (iii.) the following eighteen other States of America viz., Argentina. Bolivia. Brazil, Chili, Columbia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala. Haiti. Mexico. Nicaragua. Panama. Paraguay, Peru, Salvador, Uruguay, Venezuela. (These, together with the United States, and also Costa Rica and Honduras, constitute .. tbe twenty-one members of the Pan-American Union) (Iv.) the following three other States via China. Persia. Siam. , , Thus the only existing Independent sovereign States which could conceivably be brought in and some of these may well be deemed not independent in respect of foreign relations are the American States of Costa Rica and Honduras (which were invited to the 1907 Hague Conference, and actually appointed delegates, who did not attend); the African States of Morocco, Liberia and Abyssinia; the Aalatio States of Afghanistan. Thibet" and Nepaul; and the European State, of Albania (besides Andorra, Lichtenstein.;

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The Text of the Remarkable Report of the Fabian Society's Committee, Headed by Mr. Shaw, Which Presents His Powerful Political Organization's Carefully Considered Scheme lo , Settle All International Disputes Without Tcsort to Arms. Monaco and San Marino, which have popula- (b) The appointment and all qneatloaa res tlona of less than 20,000). latins to the conditions of office, f&oUoi It may be suggested that admission should and powers of the lAierauoL. . . be refused to any State (1) which does not. In and of the President and other officers ot the fact, enter regularly into foreign relations ' International Council; lth more than one other State; or (11) of (c) The settlement of Standing Orders, and which the foreign relations are under the con- all questions relating to procedure and vevUt trol of another State; or (111.) ot which the cation of powers; . population Is less than 100,000. The adoption - (d) ' The financial affairs of the Intern of these rules would probably exclude all but tlonal High Court, the allocation of the cost two or three of the above-mentioned outatand- among the Constituent States, and the lssua lng States. of precepts upon the several Constituent Covenant Against Aggression. SUtea; d ot V Poa th 5. It is a fundamental principle of the Artl- Constituent State, for the shares due cles that the Constituent States severally dls- f' claim all desire or Intention of aggression on , w eTn6 4l1on of Independent sovs any other Independent sovereign State or e,gn 8tatea M Constituent States; ana States, and that they agree and bind them- f AnT proposal to alter any of theso ArtV selves, under all circumstances, and without " cIes the making of such aa alteration, any evasion or qualification . whatever, never NOTE TO ARTICLE S. The suggested to pursue, beyond the stage of courteous rep- complex organization, ot the International resentation, any claim or complaint that any Council is required in order: (a) To prevent of them may have against any other Constit- 106 Council being swamped, when It Is deal uent State, without first submitting such ,n wltn matters not affecting Central and claim or complaint, either to the International South America, by the representatives of the High Court for adjudication and decision, or twenty independent sovereign States of that to the International Council for examination Prt of tho world; and (b) to maintain unlmand report, with a view to arriving at a set- paired the practical hegemony and the re tlement acceptable to both parties. sponsibility for preventing a serious war Covenant Aaainat War Excent aa a Final 7hlC? Ve fCt deTd upon the eight Covenant Against Waivexcept as a Final Great Powers, whose adhesion to these ArtlRe"""'- , . . . cl 1 essential to their foil efficacy. -4. The Constituent States expressly bind The Council for America would consist exthemselves severally under no circumstances clusively of the representatives ot the twenty to address to any Constituent State an ulti- one independent sovereign States of the Amer matum, or a threat of military or naval opera- lean Continent now associated In the Pan tlons In. the nature of war, or of any act ot American Union. Other States having deaggression; and under no circumstances to pendencies on or near that Continent (vis declare war, or begin military or naval opera- the British Empire in respect c. the Canadian tions of tbe nature of war, or violate the ter- Dominion. Newfoundland, the British West ritory or attack the ships of another State. ladlaa Islands. British Honduras. British, otherwise than by way of repelling and de- Guiana, and the Falkland Islands; France la testing a forcible attack actually made by respect to St, Pierre and Miquelosw Guads military or naval force, until the matter in loupe, Martinique and French Guiana Hob dispute has been submitted as aforesaid to land In respect of Surinam and Curacao an the International High Court or to the Inter- Denmark in respect or Greenland. St. Croix, national Council, and until after the explra- St Thomas and St, John) would be safetion of one year from the date of such sub- guarded by the power to require the transfer mission. of any question to the Council ot the eight On the other hand, no Constituent 8tate Great Powers or to the Council sitting aa shall, after submission of the matter at Issue whole. to the International Council and after tbe ex- Membership of the Council and Vatina piration of the specified time be precluded 7. An &.P!uFfutw!!ii. from taking any action, event to the point ot eQual t0 participation ta tteUb?ra. golng to war. in defence of its own honor or tlon8 of the international CounclL Any Coninterests, as regards any Issues which are not stltuent State may submit to the Interna, justiciable within the definition laid down by tlonal Council Sttln, af a whole a?y prt these Articles, and which affect eiUier its n- posai for any alteration of International liw" dependent sovereignty or its territorial in- or ,or maklng an enactment of new law; and tegrity, or require any change in its internal also (subject to the provisions of these Artl. laws, and with regard to which no settlement cles with regard to SSSLZoTiSS, acceptable to itself has been arrived at. labie issues to the International High Court) The International Council. may bring before the Council any question.' 6. The International Council shaU be a con- dispute or difference arising between It and tlnuously existing deliberative and legislative ".LI? r Con"tltuent State. body composed of representatives of the Con- When the International Council la sitting stltuent States, to be appointed in such man- the Council ot the eight Great Powers or ner, for such periods and under such condl- the Council ot the States other than tha tions as may in each case from time to time elnt Great Powers each ot the States repre be determined by the several States. sented therein shall have one vote only. . Each of the eight Great Powers, vis., Aus- When the International Council is sitting tria-Hungary, the British Empire. France. Ger- aa a whole or as the Council for Europe op many. Italy, Japan, Russia and the United th Council for America, the number ot State of America, may appoint five represen- votes to be given on behalf of each State shall tatives. Each of the other Constituent States be as follows: may appoint two representatives. &OTB TO ARTICLE T. The teale of voUnp niff. Kittinc of th Council trenoth Kill require to be pre4crlbed in fsa Different Sittings of the Council. treaty, and the following plan U tuaaetted: 6. The International Council shall sit either The question ot the relative voting power as a council of all the Constituent States, In the International Council of the forty or hereinafter called the Council sitting as a fifty independent sovereign States Is one ot whole, or as the Council of the eight Great the greatest difficulty. At Tbe Hague Con Powers, or as the Council of the States other ference tbe smaller States successfully main than the eight Great Powers, each Buch sit- tained the right ot all the States, even tha ting being restricted to the representatives - smallest, to equality of voting power. On tha of the States thus Indicated. . other hand, the eight Great Powers, which are There shall stand referred to the Council probably administering three-fourths of tha of the eight Great Powers any question arls- total population of the world, disposing ot lng between any two or more of such Powers. seven-eighths of its governmental revenues, and also any other question In which any ot and controlling nine-tenths ot its armed such Powers formally claims to be concerned, forces, will certainly not submit to be out. and requests to have so referred. voted by nine of the smallest States ot Ames' There shall also stand referred to the Coun- lea or Europe, ell of the eight Great Powers, for considers- One suggested scale of relative voting tion and ratification, or for reference back in power has the unique merit of having been, order that they may be reconsidered, the pro- actually agreed to at The Hague Conference ceedlngs of the Council for America, the Coun- in 1907 in the form of the relative partlclpa ell for Europe, and the Council for the States tion of the Judges of the several States in tho other than the eight Great Powers. - proposed International Prlxe Court Devised There shall etand referred to the Council tor such a purpose, it somewhat overvalues for Europe any question arising between two certain States having exceptionally large .r more independent sovereign States of Eu- maritime interests (such as Norway) and un rope, and not directly affecting any independ- dervalues some having small maritime late ent sovereign State not represented In that ests (such as Serbia). Other minor adjust Council, provided that none of the independ- ments might now have to be made, ent sovereign States not so represented for- As agreed to by The Hague Conference, tha ' mally claims to be concerned In such cues- relative position of the 8tates works out into tion. and provided that none of the eight ' the following scale of votes: Great Powers formally claims to have it re- . Austria-Hungary, the British Emf erred to the Council of the eight Great Pow- plre, France. Germany. Italy.. ers or to tbe Council sitting aa a whole. Japan, Russia, - the United There shall stand referred to the Council States of America 20 votes each for America any question arising between two Spain It votes each or more Independent sovereign States ot The NeVheVlandV a vnt Irk America, not directly affecting any Independ- CtaSe'r'iii 5 ent sovereign State not represented in that SvpSSSSSckS: Council, provided that none of the Independ- RmUY? S vote. !? r.LHH lit 2,U.U: 8witserland. Bulgaria. Persia .. S votes each ferred to the Council ot the eight Great Pow- rElSto?SS&i fitV ! ers or to the Council anting as a whole. otner CoB,atMat 8tte 1 ToU There shall stand referred to the Council (These may include Bolivia. Costa Rica, for the States other than the eight Great Pow- Cuba. Dominican Republic. Ecuador. Goat. frs any question between two or more of such mala. Haiti. Honduras. Luxemburg. Montana - States, not directly affecting any ot the eight gro, Nicaragua. Panama, Calvador. etc.) Great Powers and which none of the eight As regards the Council for America, It may Great Powers formally claims to have re , be urged that the existing Pan-American ferred to .the Council sitting as a whole. Union has equal voting. On the other hand. The Council shall sit as a whole for the United States la not likely to allow such (a) General legislation and any question a Council to become an effective legislature not standing referred to the Counoil of the if. with four-fifths of tha population. It has eight Great Powers, the Council of the 8tates . - ' only eae-twenty-first of the voting power. The other than the eight. Great Powers,-the Coun- United States may. Indeed, insist, tat this cil-for Europe or the Oouneil for America re Council, on an even larger relative voting 6pectively: power than was conceded Iter the Prise Court.

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