El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-01-22
TAI 7 ASSERTS
FEARS BASELESS
Declares Peace League Not
Contrary To Spirit of
Monroe Doctrine.

New York, Jan. 22.-Iu defence Of the
idea OF the League to Enforce Peace
I former president William Howard Taft
! addressed the chamber of commerce of
I the borough Of Queens Saturday night
/ in reply TO criticisms leveled at the
I league By Col Theodore Roosevelt and
senator William Borah. He said;
Mr. Roosevelt objects 10 the league
with great emphasis. It would have
/ added to the usefulness Of his criticism
II he had read carefully the proposals
of the league. He assumes that the
league proposes that the judgments and
recommendations of compromise
reached shall be enforced by the league
This is a fundamental error. Ne may
therefore dismiss further considera-
ton Of Mr.. ROosevelt's objections
Taking up the objections or senator
BOrah, Mr. Taft said: He objects TO
the league because he says II VIII IN
volve the United States in surrender
of the Monroe doctrine and in moment
Gus obligations 1 quite agree that the
league viii involve omentous conse-
quences, and 1 also quite agree that the
people of the United States ought TO
understand exactly what those conse-
quences are and the burdens that they
would assume
Three PresumPtiVe Dangers
senator Borah supposes three cases
TO show its dangers In the Ilrsl.
Russia and Japan, being members OF
the league with all the other great ma
lions of the world. have controversy
over a matter in Manchuria- Russia re-
fuses submission to a court or commls-
sion. and begins hOstfliueS against ia
pan Under the league. England. France,
Germany. Austria. Italy and the United
States would unite forces with Japan
to defeat Russia's attack The United
States would have to contribute men
and vessels according to some equitable
rule prescribed in the treaty, proper
toned TO resources and geographical
location. This is the extreme response
bilitv which the United States must
face This Is the burden She might
have But 1t Is improbable
with a knowledge OF this union OF
tremendous forces against her. Russia
would not be likely TO violate ner
nlighted faith The moral erect OF the
mower Of the world would prevent her-
551@b+ the T-nifed states not be willing
TO run the risk of being called upon 70
contribute her quota in such reInOtss
contingency in order that the power OF
the world may become eftectlNe WIN
ont actual use of force to stop war;
The Case of Mexico
The second case suggested by sen
stCr Borah Is this Mexico transfers
part of her territory TO Japan ana
trine is violated The United states
protests and Japan demands submis-
sion under the league. The question IS
a political one The Monroe doctrine
does not involve or rest on principles
Of international law. It would be SUB
mftted 20 the commission Of concilla-
ton which would after needed time rec I
Ommend a compromise The United I
States. IL IL did not subscribe TO the I
compromise. might hOnorably refuse TO |
accept II and begin hostilities against 1
Japan. Under the 80 treaties initiated |
BY Mr.. Bryan, and consented to by the |
senate (unless Japan is not in the BOD !
the United States could not even now !
begin such hostilities within year. In /
what respect in the maintenance Of the /
Monroe doctrine, therefore. is the J
United States at disadvantage
No shelter Against Punishment.
The third case supposed by senator /
Borah is that Argentina and a Euro
Dean government have a DISPUTE and Il
Argentina refuses TO submit II Argen-
tina begins war against the European ]
then the powers Of the lea que I
must be used against her. and Euro !
lean forces jointly with OUT own viii |
punish her for violating her plighted |
-aith and treaty obligations This is
said to involve an abandonment OF the
Monroe doctrine. Why2 Nr Seward II |
1866. and Nj Roosevelt in his admins
ration said most emphaticaiiy that the |
doctrine can not be used 10 shelter