Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-12-20
The League Of Nations

4 'CLOANGL hooSEN Is DOtnl0S, IL not
~ versatile. There is no embarrassment:
for him III the charge OF inconsst ency.
Rather has he always appeared TO delight in
the ease with which he can change pos zion
on any topic about which he undertakes to
ADVISE the world. His latest contribution is
case IN point. III letter to George Haven
Putnam, president of the American Rights
League, just made public lie says: Il am now
prepared to say what five years ago | would
not have said. l think the time has come
when the United States and the British en-
pre- can agree to universal arbitrati ion
treaty. In other words, l believe that the
time has come when We should say that under
no circumstances shall there ever be a re-
sort to war between the United States and the
British empire: that no question can ever
arise between them that cannot be settled
in Judicial fashion, in some such manner rs
questions between States of our own Union
would be settled"
Among those of us who appreciate the
strong bonds of friendship that have been
built up between Great Britain anu the United
States as y result OF the war, there will be
no SainsayinS the opinion OF Colonel Roose-
welt that this country could, with mutual
prohl, enter into such II compact with Great
Britain. Similarly would We be in sympathy
with such an arrangement with France and
Belgium and Italy with which countries like
bonds OF sympathy and mutual esteem have
been created We do not see why we should
make such pact with Great Britain to the
exclusion of our other allies; and that is one
OF the reasons why fail to find in Pres-
dent Wilson'S espousal OF league of nations
grounds for the superciious scurn and bitter
opposition which il has met with at the hands
OF Colonel Roosevelt and his followers
After all, what the President has proposed
is mat the allied nations represented in the
peace conference should agree among them
serves TO the formation OF II league of ma
tlons built upon the proposition that they
should abandon resort to arms in the settle
ncnt OF disputes arising among them, and
should set up machinery whereby they NAV
not only settle their own disputes after the
fashion OF controversies arising between sey-
eral States OF the American Union but should
unite against any disturbance of the general
peace. Whether, having agreed to this among
themselves they shall agree TO permit Ger
many and her late allies to enter such a
league is a matter that will be determined
When the entral powers, or any OF them,
apply for such admission.
The central thought in the minds Of all
OIL those VINO are opposed to IA league of ma
lions to preserve peace is tfat controversies
may conc ivably arise between the United
states ana any one OF the members of this
league winch it would not be to our interest
TO submit TO the arbitrament of the leapuo
Inc Monroe Doctrine is cited. for example as
constituting, perhaps, the basis OF one such
controversy, and it is contended that never
couiu we AFFORD to submit the validity OF such
doctrine 10 the decision OF the proposed
leasue Granting only for a moment that
ms contention is sound why should il he
inferred that such a question could never arise
heIWeen Great Britain and the United States
mus leaving the impression that il nigh,
ARISE between the United States and. saw
france: ii we refuse to admit such a dis
tlncloh, and If Colonel Roosevelt does not
mean 10 suggest 1t, then, under the proposed
treaty with Great Britain, such a uuestion
arising between the two English-speaking M
tons would have TO he submitted 70 outside
arbitration
AS matter Of fact, the strength Of The
hohroc doctrine just as that of the OMEN
uoor pohcy IN China does not rest primarily
oii the u!ctum OF the United States but upon
the tac!' or implied agreement among a ma
JUN! OF inc nations OF the world that il Is
doctrine TO be respected No one will have
'he hardihood to say that the United States
at me tlme that either OF ,lese policies was
incorporated III international relationship
could py itself have forced the world 10 ac
cepl. me Monroe Doctrine and the opeo
door policy in China are recognized bases of
i'tc' MA uOhal ani!ty. 1t is this amity which
J, Is proposed 10 have the league of nations
roster ana DEFEND. Why should we cleo, IA
nod aloof from the benefits of such pro
lection?