New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-12-30
Dooms Self-Detcrmination
and Monroe Doctrine,
the Senator Asserts
Terms 1t Mere Fantasy
Sees Hands Of Europe Rul-
ing America; Professor
Ciddings Assails the Plan

assailed last night as impractical and
dangerous to the ideals and integrity
Of the United States at the dinner Of
the Society of Arts and Sciences in the
Hotel Biltmore
1t was the original intention of the
society to hold debate on the prac-
ticability Of a league of nations, with
Senator James A. Reed, of Missouri
attacking the project. while Oscar
Straus, President Lowell of Harvard
and Professor Franklin II. Giddngs
Of Columbia, defended it. James W
Gerard, former Ambassador to Ger
many, acted As chairman. Among those
present was William Randolph Hearst
who was championed by Senator ReeC
recently during tho Senate brewers
inquiry ID Washington.
DR.. Giddings, who spoke first. sur
prised his hearers by admitting that
the idea of a league was an ephemcra
thing, unless the Anglo-Saxon nations
could be brought into perfect co0pcra-
ton and understanding and thus form
its foundation.
Senator Reed attacked the project as
plan whereby the liberties Of Ameri-
cans would be placed in the hands OF
the people OF Europe, pointing out that
in such league the people of the Old
World would have majority voice
against the desires and hopes of the
people of the United States.
Professor Giddings echoed more
mildly Senator Reeds objections. He
pointed out that throughout history
peoples of divergent origins have beer
held together only by conquest or else
for mutual protection of common
ideals.
Mr.. Stratus said that if Washington
and Monroe were .iving now the,
would approve OF our participation il
the war. The league would not, he
said, conflict with the Monroe Doc
trine; rather. in his belief, it woult
put all the nations of the world undel
a Monroe Doctrine. Never before il
the history of the world, he said. ha(
supreme power been in the hands O.
the three great democratic nations.
GOD speed our great President OF
his noble mission" he concluded
Reeds View on League
Senator Reed said: ''What | am lust
about to say applies to a real league
Of nations, one capable of rendering
decisions in all international con
trOversies and in enforcing it's DEGREES
when rendered.
THE American colonists fought tc
throw off foreign control. They died to
establish the right of the people OF
America to control their own destiny
The Constitution ordains that q Con
gress elected by the people of the
United States shall have the exclusive
right TO declare war, raise and sup
port armies, provide and maintain &
navy, and make rules for the govern
ment and regulation of the land ana
naval forces, to suppress instructions
and repel invasions.'
"1he proposed league of nations con
templates the transfer, in whole or ir
part, Of these powers to the representa-
tives of foreign governments sitting as
/ members of an international court OF
league. Against this l solemnly pro
test.
"Thc right of self determination i:
the soul Of sovereignty. A nation
which yields that right IN any degree
loses to that extent it's sovereignty.
K yields III matters of vital concern i
ceases to be a sovereign and becomes
vassal state. lnSurperable objection
10 any league of nations are found II
the following points,
"C) The members of the lcagu
the league will be named by the rul
ing powers of Europe. These powers
they existed sixty days ago. as the
to-day exist in part, as they will doubt
less again soon spring up, are unite
by ties OF consanguinity and affinit
Of the closest character. Time forbid
pursuing the royal pedigrees
Monarchs United by Blood
Every European monarch is unite
either by blood or marriage to ever
other European monarch.
E'lf the ruling monarchs arc TO b
dethroned, the question as to Whethc
their successors viii be Bolshcviki, an
arcbjstic. socialistic or real statesme
remains to be settled.
"t2j he nations of Europe haV
many interests in common whic
may at any time conflict with inter
csts OF the United States. Therefor,
questions which arc vital to us mus
be submitted TO a prejudiced tribuna
"(3) The Monroe Doctrine must b
yielded ~ toto. because league G
nations effective to preserve worl
peace cannot leave out questions whic
directly affect half of the. world
"The fathers of the Republic warnc
us against entangling alliances. Thei
advice became the natural creed. Fo
lowing it We have outstripped all c
the nations Of the world and outru
the imagination Of the drcamers Of th
past
"When, finally, on April 6, 1917, W
entered the world war our greatnes
enabled us to speedily force a decisio
against the greatest military powe
ever created. We preserved the civil
cation OF Europe
Party TO Every Quarrel
"Shall we substitute for this anciei
and successful policy one which make
us q party to every European quarre
involves US in every war Of the worl
and compels us to conscript our youn
in every land at the dctaton of til
members Of league Of nation
whether composed of Bolsheviki. king
presidents or soviets?
In any league. however organize
the selfish interests Of each nation wi
be forever predominant in it's heart
'1t follows that as these interest
may at any moment concentrate again.
ne interests of the United States. OF
rights. our liberties, nay. our very M
tonal llfc. may be taken by the vote
OF pFeiudiced kings or potentates cor
trolleo by their own selfish interests
THE project of a league of nation
is no now discovery. 1t is some tho,
sands of years old. In the successiv
ages 1t has appeared in various form
Generally 1T embraces every sort Of II
teliecIual vagary and poetic fancy.
Calls 1t Poetic Fancy
ut is referred TO az "a parliament q
man, and confederation OF the world