The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-01-21
VIM. \. TAFT
ANS v { rs
CRITICISMS
Ex-PRESlDENT SPEAKS IN DE-
FENSE OF LEAGUE TO ENFORCE
PEACE, ANSWERING RooSE.
WELT AND BORAH.

New York Jan. 2O.-In answer to
criticism which Theodore Roosevelt
and Senator William +. Borah of
Idaho have made of the League to
Enforce Peace, former President Viii
liam Howard Taft spoke here tonight
in defense of the scheme. He ad-
dressed the Chamber of Commerce of
the Borough of Queens, and after out
lining the purposes Of the league he
dismissed Col. Roosevelt's criticisms
in a few words. lie 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 fur
ther consideration of Mr. Roosevet's
objections"
Mr.. Taft pointed out that "the
League contents itself, and believes
that it will make a long step forward
if it succeeds, in securing a world
agreement by which hearings of the
irritating issue may be had and de-
cison rendered before war is allowed
to begin. 1t is confident that in most
cases, a war thus delayed for discus
sion of the issues and fair decision
will never come"
Taking up the objections of Senator
Borah, Mr.. Taft said: He objects
to the League because he says it will
involve the United States in a sur
render of the Monroe Doctrine and in
momentous obligations. | quite agree
that the League will involve moment
Gus consequences, and | also quite
agree that the people Of the United
States ought to understand exactly
what those consequences are and the
burdens that they would assume.
Senator Borah supposes three
cases to show its dangers In the
first, Russia and Japan, being mem
bers of the league with all the other
great nations of the world have con
troversy over a matter in Manchuria.
Russia refuses submission to a court
or commission, and begins hostilities
against Japan. Under Hhe 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 yes
sells according to some equitable rule
prescribed in the treaty, proportioned
to resources and geographical location
This is the extreme responsibility
which the United States must face
This is the burden she might have
But it is improbable With a know
ledge of this union of tremendous for
ces against her, Russia would not ho
likely to violate her pighted faith
The moral effect Of the power of tn,
world would prevent her. Ought tn,
United States not be willing to rul
the risk of being called upon to con
tribute her quota in such a remot,
contingency in order that the powe
of the world may become effectiy,
without actual use Of force to stol
war.
"The second case suggested b,
Senator Borah Is this Mexico trans
fers part of her territory to Japan
and Japan takes it. Thus the Monro
Doctrine is violated. The Unite
States protests and Japan demands
submission under the league. TIL
question is a political one, The MOI
roe Doctrine does not involve or res
on principles of international law.
Would he submitted TO the cOmmissio