Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-05-27
WORLD PEACE PLANS
WOULD FORCE BACkUP
ON MONROE DOCTRINE

Washington, May 2e.-Under the
plan for world-peace as outlined in the
program Of the League to Enforce
Peace, the United States might have
to relinquish some of its older inter-
pretations of the Monroe doctrine in
event Of a dispute with a European
power. George Grafton Wilson, profess
sor Of International law at Harvard,
declared in an address here today be-
fore the first national assemblage OF
the league. Under peace treaties
signed in recent years, Professor Will
son said, such concessions will have to
be made.
THE United States has, within re-
cent years" he said. become q party
to large number of treaties in which
the high contracting parties agree
that all disputes between them, of
every nature whatsoever, to the settle-
ment of which previous arbitration
treaties or agreements do not apply in
their terms or are not applied in fact,
shall, when diplomatic methods Of adj
justment have failed, be referred for
investigation and report to an inter-
national commission and they agree
ties during such investigation and be-
fore the report Is submitted
"PlainIy therefore the United States
is bound already under these other
treaties, which there are a large num-
Der, to submit disputes involving the
Monroe doctrine to body which
would meet the requirements OF the
platform of the League to Enforce
Peace. 40
"a dispute in regard to the Monroe
doctrine or involving its principles
" hatever they may be would surely
be included in the agreement made by
the United States to refer Disputes of
every nature whatsoever to an inter-
national commission for Investigation
and report. The principle has had en-
dorsement by leaders In preceding ad-
ministrations as well as in the action
upon these treaties BY the present adj
ministration and is therefore not to be
regarded as embodying partisan poll
cies The United States is already
bound to act as regards the Monroe
doctrine in disputes which may arise
with most states In q fashion in exact
accord with the second article OF the
platform OF the League to Enforce
Peace. The aim Of the League Is
secured when the question which
negotiation has been unable to settle Is
submitted for hearing, consideration
and recommendation and 1t makes
little difference whether the body to
which it is submitted Is called an in
ternational commission or council OF
conciliation.' 49,.
"If then the United States and thirty
or more nations are already bound to
the principle of the second article OF
the Leagues platform so far as the.
Monroe doctrine and other matters are
subjects. Of dispute, there would seem
to be no reason for raising the ques-
ton of practicability OF that part of
the program at the present time. It's
practicability has already been formal
ly. declared, and as embodied in treaty
provisions is a part Of the law OF the
land. se-
Further it may be said. II when
in dispute, the Monroe doctrine as APP
piled by the United States is not a
policy upon which the United States
is willing to await hearing, considera-
ton and recommendation, then the
United States has not acted In gooo
faith in signing these recent treaties.
and it may also be said II the Amert-
can policy as embodled IN tne Monloe
doctrine will not stand the test OF IN
vestigation and consideration 1t is time
for the United States to be determining
why 1t should longer give to the doc
trine It's support.
'"As the plan OF the league for sub-s
mission Of controversies such as might
arise over the Monroe doctrine has, on
the initiative Of the United States, al
ready been embodied in treaties with
greater part OF the states Of the world,
such a plan can not be regarded as
impracticable without condemnation o.
the Judgment Of those who are In con-
troll OF the affairs Of the world, ana
this judgment the League TO Enforce
-'eace, having the well being OF tns
~ o,ld IA view, does not criticize and
condemn but supports and comn,end d. !"
The Ag,tidote.