New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-11
ENFORCING PEACE BY PEACE
The Exact Aims Of League as Set Forth
BY Its Vice-Chaiman
To thu Editor Of Tho Tribuns.

To the Editor or The Iribune.
Sir: When a movement as vital as the
League 10 Enforce Peace is seen TO be sweep
ing over the country it is to be expected that
doubters, DIRECTORS and maligners VIII arise
But would It not be a good plan II the
Leagues opponents, before becoming vocal or
rushing into print should read the twenty
two words In the Leagues preamble, the one
hundred and si1ty-four words contained IN
its four proposals and the sixty-hve words
added as the official Interpretation OF Art'-
Gle III
Thus in the Senate last week no less
statesman than Senator Borsh was moved 10
say:
Suppose the United States and Argentina
and some Of the pstions OF Europe enter INTO
league to enforce peace, and let us suppose
that Argentina and one OF the governments
Of Europe Disagree In one OF their disputes
and Argentina refuses 10 submit her dispute
10 an international tribunal or to councli
OF Cancellation. Under the doctrine OF the
League TO Enforce Peace we would not only
have agreed that the European nations could
come here and get In war with Argentina out
if we were called upon we would have 10
Join with our army and navy to enforce the
matter against Argentina
This. Of course, is n misststement of the
Leagues position. Article Ill OF the plat
form, as interpreted by the executive com
mittee, reads as follows:
"The signatory powers shall Jointly use
forthwith their economic forces against any
Of their number that refuses to submit any
question which arises to an international
judicial tribunal or council OF Cancellation
before issuing an ultimatum or threatening
war They shall follow this by the JOINT use
OF their military forces against that nation
IL II actually proceed to make war or invade
another's territory"
II follows, therefore, that ~ Argentina re-
fuse. 10 refer her dispute with European
power to an international tribunal or council
Of Cancellation the other members OF the
league will not make war, but forthwith use
their economic forces" against her. Indeed,
they will not proceed against Argenhna at
all with their military forces unless Argen-
tina actually makes war on the European
power. OF course II she submits her case to
a court or council and then Is dissatisfied
with the decision or accommodation she can
then make war without any resistance what
soever by the league.
A more fragrant misstatement OF the POSI-
tion OF the League 10 Enforce renee 10 lhaue
by Mr. Roosevelt in his diatribe against the
league in the February metropolitan Maya
zine" Says he:
"The proposals of this league vary some
what from time to time; but In their essence
thew are that nations shall arbitrate all ques-
tions and that they shall agree TO enforce the
DEGREES Of the arbitral court by war"
In the first place, the leagues proposals
have not been changed one iota since their
adoption at independence Hall, Philadelphia
June II, 1915. In the second place, there is
no proposal whatsoever "to enforce the de-
crees of the arbitral court by war; The pro-
posal is not even TO enforce reference TO
the court or council OF Cancellation by war?
The only time that force can be invoked by
the league is when the league proceeds
against nation that goes to war without
first submitting its case to court or council
Of Cancellation.
The League to Enforce Peace enforces de-
Law. II does not enforce judgment. Is any
American statesman unwilling to have the
United States 60 that far?
HAMILTON HOLT.
Vice Chairman OF the League TO Enforce
Peace.
New York, Jan. 9, 1917.