Omaha daily bee., 1917-01-22
Mr. TAFT DEFENDS
LEAGUE FOR PEACE
Former President, in Address
at New York, Answers Crit.
icism Of Roosevelt.
U. S. NOW WORLD POWER


and Senator William Z. Borah Of
Idaho have made OF the League to
Enforce Peace, former President vii.
liam Howard Taft spoke last night
in defense OF the scheme He ad-
dressed the Chamber OF Commerce
Of the Borough Of Queens. and after
outlining the purposes OF the league
he dismissed Colonel Rooseveit's
criticisms in a few words. He said:
"Mr. Roosevelt objects to the
league with great emphasis. 1t would
have added to the usefulness OF, his
criticism if he had read carefully the
proposals of the league. He assumes
that the league proposes that the
judgments and recommendation Of
compromise reached shall be enforced
by the league. This is fundamental
error. We may, therefore, dismiss
further consideration of Mr.. Roose-
velt's objections
Mr.. Taft pointed out that "the
league conducts itself, and believes
that il will make long step forward
il It succeeds in securing, world
agreement by which hearings OF the
irritating issue may be had and a de-
cision rendered before war Is allowed
10 begin. 1t is confident that, in most
cases, war thus delayed for full
discussion Of the issues and a fair
decision will never come"
Taking up the objections OF Sena-
tor Borah, Mr.. Taft said: "He objects
TO the league because he says 1t will
involve the United States in a sur
render OF the Monroe doctrine and in
momcntous obligations. | quite agree
that the people OF the United States
ought to understand exactly what
those consequences are and the bur-
dens that they would assume.
Borah's Superstition Analysed.
Senator Borah supposed three
cases to show the dangers. In the
first, Russia and Japan, being menu
bers Of the league with all the other
great nations Of the world, have a
controversy over matter in Man
churia. Russia refuses submission to
court or commission, and begins
hostilities against Japan, Under the
league, England, France, Germany,
Austria, Italy and the United States
would unite forces with Japan to de-
feat Russia's attack. The United
States would have to contribute men
and vessels according to some equita-
bic rule prescribed in the treaty, pro-
portioned to resources and geo.
graphical location. This Is the ex-
IRENE responsibility which the United
States must face. This Is the burden
II might have. But it Is improbable.
With a knowledge OF this union OF
tremendous forces against it, Russia
would not be likely to violate its
plighted faith, The moral effect OF
the power Of the world would prevent
it. Ought the United States not be
willing to run the risk of being called
upon to contribute its quota In such
remote contingency in order that
the power Of the world may become
effective without actual use Of force
to stop war;
The second case suggested by
Senator Borah is this: Mexico trans
fers part Of Its territory to Japan, and
Japan takes il. Thus the Monroe doc
trine Is violated. The United States
protests and Japan demands q sub
mission under the league, The ques-
ton is . political one. The Monroe
doctrine does not involve or rest upon
principles Of international law. II
would be submitted to the commits
sion Of Cancellation which would
after needed time command a COM
promise. The United States, IL 1t did
not subscribe to the compromise,
might honorably refuse to accept il
and begin hostilities against Japan.
Under the thirty treaties initiated BY
Mr.. Bryan, and consented to BY the
senate (unless Japan is not In the
treaty., the United States could not
even now begin such hostilities with
in a year. In what respect in the
maintenance Of the Monroe doctrine,
therefore, is the United States at a |
disadvantage
The third case supposed by Sem
ator Borah is that Argentine and
European government have dispute |
and Argentine refuses to submit. I'll
Argentine begins war against the |
European country, then the powers of |
the league must be used against it,
and European forces jointly with our
own will punish it for violating its
plighted faith and treaty obligations.
This is said to involve an abandon
ment OF the Monroe doctrine. Why? |
Mr.. Seward in 1866, and Mr.. Roose-
welt in his administration said most
emphatically that the doctrine can
not be used to shelter South Ameri-
can countries against punishment by
war for their shortcomings by Euro.
pean countries.
he two questions for us are
whether the league is practical and
whether the United States ought to
enter it, OF course il is only a gen
eral plan, and the details would have
to be worked out in a world confer
encc. That is feasible, and that such
details may be worked out, is indi-
Gated by the approval which the
league has received from Germany, on
the one hand, and from the allies, on
the other. There are of course very
great difficulties in practical union
Of the forces Of the world to accom-
plish definite single purpose, but
they are not insuperable. The league
y only applying to the international
community the same principle that