The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-01-17
ENEMIES Of
PEACE LEAGUE
M|SREPRESENT
YOU SHOULD READ THE LEA
CUES PREAMBLE BEFORE GET
TING FRANTIC SAYS VICE
CHAIRMAN HOLT.
New York, Jan II, 1917.


To the Editor of the
ArdmOreite
When a movement as vital as the
League to Enforce Peace is seen to he
sweeping over the country it is to be
expected that doubtcrs, directors and
maligners will arise.
But would it not be a good plan if
the Leagues opponents, becoming
vocal or rushing into print, should
read the twenty-five words in the
Leagues preamble, the one hundred
and sixty-four words contained in its
four proposals. and the siXty-five
words added as the official interpre-
tation of Article Ill.
Thus in the Senate last week no
less a statesman than Senator Borah
was moved to say
Suppose the United States and Ar
gentna and some Of the nations of
Europe enter into a League to Enforce
Peace and let us suppose that Argen-
tina and one of the governments of
Europe disagree in one of their dis
putes and Argentina refuses to sub
nit her dispute to an international
| tribunal or to a council of COnCilia-
| tiOn. Under the doctrine OF the Lea
que to Enforce Peace we would not
only have agreed that the European
nations could come here and get in
war with Argentina, but if we were
called upon we would have to join
with our army and navy to enforce the
matter against Argentina"
This, of course, is misstatement
of the Leagues position. Article III
of the platform las interpreted by the
executive committee reads as follows:
THE signatory power shall jointly
use forthwith their economic forces
against any of their number that re
fuses to submit any question which
arises to an international judicial tri
bulan or council of Cancellation be
fore issuing an ultimatum or threat
ening war. They shall follow this by
the Joint use of their military forces
against that nation if ii actually pro
ceed to make war or invade another
territory
1t follows. therefore. that if Argen
tina refuses to refer her dispute will
European power to an internationa
tribunal or council of conciliation. thu
other members of the League will no
make war, but forthwith use thei
5 economic forces" against her Indeed
they will not proceed against Argen
g., tina at all with their military force
. unless Argentina actually makes wa
. on the European power. OF course
: she submits her case to court o
council and then is dissatisfied wit
the decision or recommendation sh
o can then make war without any resi-.
y tance whatsoever by the League,
! A more fragrant misstatement c
=, the position of the League to Enforc
Peace is made by Mr. Roosevelt i
his diatribe against the League in tn
February Metropolitan Magazine
\ Says he:
"The proposals of this league var
somewhat from time to time; but
their essence they are that nation
I shall arbitrate all questions and thu
| they shall agree to enforce the d
I crees of the arbitral court by war.
\ In the first place, the Leagues pr
! posals have not been changed OF
\ toto since their adoption at lndepe
a dence Hall, Philadelphia, June
1915. In the second place, there
no proposal whatsoever "to enlor,
= the DEGREES o. the arbitral court !
war" The proposal is not even
- enforce reference to the Court
:, Council of conc,tation by war. tt
- only time that force can be invoke
by the League is when the Leagl
" proceeds against a nation that go
. to war without first submitting /
~ case to a Court or Council of Co
~ citation
p The League to Enforce Peace G
u forces delay. 1t does not enforce
= judgment. Is any American State
man unwilling to have the Unit
States go that far?
u Very Truly Yours.
HAMILTON HOLT
Vice-C Chairman of the Executive
% Ira,,.,.,g.Nn. Ng 80