New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-27
LEAGUE or PEACE
WILL BRING WAR,
DIR. BUTTON SAYS
Pacifist Warns Against u. S.
Abandoning Monroe Doctrine
for European Entanglements

Dr.. Samuel T. Dutton. educator and
peace advocate, last night issued a
statement deerying any proposal that
the United States enter a coalition
with European powers to establish
league 70 enforce peace. Such move,
he declares, would mean the abandon
ment of the Monroe Doctrine and bind
the United States 10 place its army
and navy az the disposal Of foreign
powers who might wish 20 make war
upon one OF their number who might
break an agreement.
The issue suddenly raised before
the American people is momentous,'
says Dr. Dutton in his statement. at
presents itself thus: Shall we Join a
compact with European and Asiatic
powers whereby they would be com
RELIED 10 use their armies and navles
Jointly in any part Of the world in
case any member of the coalition broke
its word and committed an act Of war
without submitting its real or sup
posed grievance to impartial inquiry?
There can be no question as to the
answer which the people of this coun-
try will give TO such q dangerous pro-
posal. They will never permit the gov
eminent az Washington to enmesh this
country IN the shifting. uncertain. eX-
plosive affairs OF the Old World. They
will refuse 20 abandon the Monroe
Doctrine: they will refuse to abandon
their complete political detachment
from incessant quarrels Of conflicting
governments across the seas a detach-
ment from entangling alliances which
is to-day even more important for US
IL - rr-o
when. with prophetic vision. Washing
ton soiemnly warned his fellow coun-
trymen not TO abandon il.
We have not yet arrived at point
where We will permit England, or Ger
many, or France, or Russia, or Japan,
or Siam. or any other nation, larger
or smaller. 10 decide questions Of war
fer US. According 20 our Constitution.
the American Congress alone has power
20 declare war; without amending the
Cons itution that power cannot be con-
ferred upon council Of foreign gov
ernments.
From the dawn Of history ono coali-
tion after another has been formed by
European and ASiatic powers. I'm no
case have these coalitions survived
longer than n comparatively few years.
These leagues 10 enforce peace have
invariably failed. When the present
war ends the time will be at hand 10
try tho only experiment in world af-
fairs which has not been tried. and
which seems emnently practicable
the establishment OF an international
court. world court, modelled after
the Supreme Court at Washington.
whose decisions will be supported and
carried out By the single greatest force
in e1istence-the sheer force OF public
opinion.
Apparently there is danger that
Washington may take some action
looking toward the entrance Of this
country into a coalition based OF arms
i'm other words, league TO enforce
PEACE.
81 therefore urge all men and women
who likewise hesitate 20 place the his
toric policy of our nation in jeopardy
10 make known their feeling by imme-
dately writing. or. better yet. by tele-
graphing their Senators and Represent
atives at Washington. In no other
way can the members Of Congress have
UNREASONABLE proof as TO where the
people OF this country stand in this
all-important matter