Another Peace-Programme
- Unauthorised programmes for peace are getting thick on the ground. The latest comes from Mr. Sumner Welles, and its author- ship gives it by no means negligible weight. The Assistant Secretary of State speaks for no one but himself in such a matter, but he has long since established a reputation for combining hardheadedness with idealism, and has a better claim to be heard in his own right on such a subject as the future peace of the world than most men who have expressed themselves on that subject on either side of the Atlantic. Mr. Welles' contribution takes the form of a six-point prOgramme for the international organisation which, lac everyone else, he postulates as essential. The six provisions are: an armed force contributed jointly by the nations willing to contribute it ; an international tribunal ; a ban on certain kinds of armaments, and international inspection of all national armaments ; technical organisa- tions to deal with economic and financial matters and counteract attempts at national autarky ; recognition of the principle of the equal sovereignty of all States and of " preparation for the freedom and self-government of all peoples who desire that iiberty, as soon as they are able to assume that right " ; abolition of the recognition Of religious and racial minorities. Not everything here is non-con- troversial. The fifth point, in particular, which seems to provide for self-determination by any " people " desiring it, raises difficult but vitally important questions of definition. What unit is entitled to call itself " a people " for this purpose? That, however, is an incidental criticism. The plan as a whole is a valuable starting-point for discussion.
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