assurance of compliance with decrees, than the moral sanction.

No provision is made in this plan in regard to official inspection as to the stutus of disarmament, which matter is left to the honor of the several nations in the making of reports.

Each nation should enact drastic laws against the violation of the Convention by its citizens, subjects, or anyone on its territory, and enforce them stringently.

The object of the present plan is not to bring all causes to courts of arbitration, but simply to force that procedure upon nations that will not negotiate; for negotiation should at all times be preferable to arbitration, the result of which is always uncertain.

The weakest point in the isolation plan would probably lie in the possibility, that when some question between two or more States arose, many others might observe, that, while the controversy did not involve them directly, nevertheless, the principle was one that affected them also, and would insist upon intervening. This might deprive the court of its judicial character as, with this greater power to eliminate from the panel, almost all but persons favorable to their side of the controversy could be kept off of the Commission.

Nations, too, might be precipitate in intervening in a cause in anticipation of some development in its scope that might involve or interest them; and this is somewhat obviated by leaving opportunity open whereby they might enter under certain restrictions after the issues were defined. Finally, an orderly way for terminating the pro

posed Convention is provided, with the expectation, however, that use of it would never be made.

As a safeguard against rupture, it must be assumed that the benefits from such a world organization would be so great, that a powerful group would appear, not only to preserve the institution, should its existence be threatened, but also at all times to induce nations that were about to litigate a matter which should be determined by a convention, to defer until a conference could be called and had provided for it, as well as to induce a nation that had secured a decree out of proportion to its right, to desist from demanding its full execution.

Like any piece of mechanism, it would not be sufficient to simply set up and start an institution under this or any plan. It must be watched in its operation, for the freedom of the world from military menace would depend upon it. "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty."

ANNEX I

A (PROPOSED) CONVENTION
(Not included in copyright)

FOR

COMPULSORY DISARMAMENT AND ARBITRATION, UNDER THE SANCTION

OF

ISOLATION, OR NON-INTERCOURSE

(Four of the Great Powers, at least), desirous of establishing the practice of arbitration for the settlement of all international differences and of effecting a general disarmament of all of the Powers, enter into this Convention [to continue in force until the first of January, nineteen hundred and forty (1940) ], and bind themselves by the following articles:

Arbitration Commissions

ART. I. One or more nations may submit a controversy with one or more other nations that they cannot settle amicably, to the decision of an Arbitration Commission, by filing, in the Office of the Clerk of the Court of The Hague, a complaint containing a clear and comprehensive statement of the claim and indicating in its title the nations defendant.

ART. II.-The Permanent Administrative Board of the Court shall forthwith cause the complaint to be published in full and service of it to be made on the nations defendant through the hands of their diplomatic representatives at The Hague, or neighboring capitals.

ART. III.-Each nation served shall cause its answer to be filed in the Office of the Clerk within eight weeks from the filing of the complaint.

ART. IV. If a third nation considers that its interests are involved in the controversy, it may intervene at any moment before the final submission, upon entering its appearance, filing its cross bill, causing the same to be published immediately by The Court and paying the costs to which the interruption gives rise. It cannot demand the joinder of still other nations as parties defendant, if it does not do so within four weeks from the filing of the original complaint; or the enlargement of the question, if not made before the opening of the hearings; unless, however, desired by a majority of the Arbitration Commission.

ART. V. Each nation which has caused its appearance to be entered in a case may name two members of the Arbitration Commission, and the members thus named shall choose additional members: to wit, three, if only two nations are at conflict; and seven, if more than two nations have appeared.

ART. VI. The nomination of the additional members shall not take place before the expiration of a period of six weeks from the filing of the complaint and may be made by simple agreement; but any nation that has caused its appearance to be entered, may require a meeting to name the additional members, upon filing a petition therefor in the Office of the Clerk specifying a date therefor at least four weeks distant. The meeting shall take place at the Palace of The Hague. Should no other way of choosing these members be unanimously adopted, each nation, in the order of the entry of its appearance at the Clerk's