The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-05-29
In Cthe-- Circles Diplomats
A teal and Express
,ubts
ln -NNATIONAL LYNCH
LAW" ONE DECLARATION
Reasons Why Senate Woula
Not Approve Plans Are
Enumerated-Strong Points
Emphasized

Washington, May 2s.-Diplomats in
washington read with profound In
terest today President Wilson's ad-
dress last night before the League
TO Enforce Peace. None would COM
ment on it for publication, but frank
approval OF many features of 1t was
expressed.
The representatives of some of the
smaller powers spoke In high praise
OF the Presidents utterance concern
ing the secondary nations and heartily
acclaimed his counsel 10 the world
to lay aside the diplomacy OF force
! and to substitute therefor the diplo-
macy of Justice.
President Wilson's advocacy of a
world-pelice force to compel peace
was met with various opinions, APP
prevail was given 1t In Democratic on
cial circles outside of Congress and 1t
was likewise endorsed by many who
heard 1t, but In diplomatic circles
there was indicated the greatest doubt
that anything would ever mater!alize
from IL. Some publicists of interna-
uonal reputation were skeptical that
any continental power would accept
l.;
Diplomats were surprised by the
Presidents virtual announcement that
the United States would be willing
tn enter into an alliance or federation
construed the declaration as depar-
tire from this country's traditional
policy OF holding aloof from ''entang-
ling alliances which was formed by
N ashingto0 and jefferson and never
tleTiat"d from,
Inspired MONROE Doctrine
President Wilson's assertion that II
the government should suggest or in
t4e 81 movement for peace. the peo-
! ie OF the United States would wish
.he organization of AN universal as
ISOLATION of nations to maintain the
!nv;olate security OF the highway OF
the seas and TO prevent any war
begun either contrary 10 ireatv coven-
!. NiH or without warning and full sub
- tr---r1rTS-v- 70 rf1e upfnrorl
Of the world. recalled 70 European
snlnRts the holy alliance ORGANIZED
-A-r- Napoieartc wars II was
formed at the invitation OF the Rus
sian Emperor and joined. amone
others, by Great Britain. France and
Austria Hungary. Its objects were
much the Same considering the tir1e
80 nr~roeai TNs hoir
alliance. however disintegrate d
Through discord and wars. as tenu-
was declared was TO drive
~-'E anar, and to war rather than
to bind hhem closer together and in
sure peace.
was said. came the inspiration for the
Monroe Doctrine. suggested to the
United States by the British govern
ment. which was using .ts diplomacy
secretly against the alliance.
International LynsH, Law.
One DISTINGUISHED pablcist char
acterized President Wilson'S pro
posal Of a federation to enforce peace
and the leagues TO program as a form
OF international lynch law" He de-
clAred the Senate OF the United States
would not approve OF II for the follow
ing reasons:
1T would necessitate the surren.
der In part of the national sovereign
~.
s-Compiete Independence in con-
Quoting its foreign affairs would be
taken away from a nation.
31The dominating factor in such
= federation would Be European. not
American. and would b reserved To
two or three OF the great powers
whose policies would BE- opposed to
the principles for which the United
States standA
-Ovssy power agnatory TO the
treaty creaE3o6 such = federation would
b oounpalled to use its armies and
ne majority OF powers voting. wheth OF
the deciaon Of the majority was Just
or unjust.
5-Membership by the United States
in such federation would involve
this country in the Balkan problem
the African problem. the Scandinavian
problem. the Albanian question and
tho Chinese problem.
S-Mem bership by European coun-
tries would involve them in Ameri-
can difhculties and spell the death OF
thA Mnproe doctrine
5--Adhesion by the United States ere
ating a tribunal for the forceful set
Element Of question relating to govern
ments would subordinate the republic
TO the monarchial ideal and discount
the value of Americans counsels In the
society Of nations. as there would be an
arraiEnment from the beginning
against the United States.
Fallactes Of Code.
1t was recalled that when Great
Britain invited the powers to con-
ference in London in 1909 to prepare
code of laws for governing naval
warfare the smaller nations were omit
ted because England believed they
were not able to serve the interests
81 civili.ation In enforcing respect for
the code. The London Decla. alton was
agreed upon by the great powers. and
England was the nrst to violate II in
the present war
The smaller States will never. II was
said. submit to having their sovereign
IN and international initiative swallow
"a IN by new form of pax Britain
Mica. which has been applied to coun-
~ after country. The usual result has
eAen that the country to which IL had
been applied had the conduct Of Its
foreign Affairs taken away from II by
0fpat Britain. The same process was
ldantlaueA - 0eeeaA 1AoAl