The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-03-29
SPEAKS
ON COVENANT
Leading Republican Makes Sug-
gestions for Changes in the
Constitution of League
of Nations
ADDRESS DELIVERED IN
NEW YORK BEFORE
BIG AUDIENCE

Discusses Plan as PuDllSned at
Paris and Criticises some OF
It's Features.
New York, March 26.-Seven
amendments to the league OF nations
covenant, ir ended primarily by their
author to insure the American con-
tineny against European aggression
70 protect the United States from
enforced administration of foreign
territory and to revoke the trouble
breeding" guaranty Of the existing
political independence Of member ma
lions, were proposed here tonight By
Charles T. Hughes.
Minor suggestions Of the former
Republican presidential! candidate
were that definite limitation be p!ac-
ed upon the leagues field OF inquiry,
reservins to the several nations eS-
elusive control Of immigration, tar
ifs and other internal problems, that
provision be made for the withdra "
al of states from the organization,
and that what he termed an amblS-
uity as to the requirement of unl1l-
nous decisions by the league to lie
cleared up.
In an adress before the Union
League Club reviewing ex.la austively
the terms Of the proposed covenant
Mr.. Hughes declared that the Anleri-
can people were entitled to better
piece of work" He added that much
would have been gained If at the
outset part of the time expended IN
it's praise had been devoted to it's cor
rection.
The amendments, Mr.. Hughes sug
gested aside from formal improve
! ments' We're stated as follows:
/. Explicit provision, as to the re.
quirement Of unaniInity of decision.
. Suitable limitation as TO the
field of the leagues inquiries and &C
ton so as to leave no doubt that th'
concerns Of states. such as immigra
| tion and tariff laws, are not embraced
5. Providing that 40 foreign pow
er shall hereafter acquire by conquest
purchase, or in an: othe" way. any
possession OF the American con,inon
or the islands adjacent thereto.
4. Providing that the settlement
of purely American questions sh.I
be remitted primarily 10 the Anleri-
can nations. and that European IA
tions shall not intervene unless re-
quested to do so by the American
nations.
5. Omitting the guaranty COT the
nj ln1 =
tion) Of Article X.
6. Providing that no member OF
the league Shall be constituted a
mandatory without its consent and no
European or .Asiatic power shall be
constituted mandatory of any
American people.
Z. Providing that any member OF
the league may withdraw at its pleas
ure on {, specified notice.
Mr.. Hughes criticised severely the
tenth article Of the covenant under
which the high contracting parties
undertake to respect and preserve
as against external aggression the ter
ritorial integrity and existing pc!ltl-
cal Independence Of all states mem
bers Of the league" Conceding the
argument that this clause had been
included to the nations born Of war.
the speaker regarded it as "a trou-
BILE breeder and not a peace MAX
err
Mr. Hughes declared that he saw
neither severity nor hardship" in
the articles relating to Investigations
and recommendations by the league
for the reduction Of armaments. He
regarded the provision for arbitration
as confined generally to existing
practice" and falling far short Of
any positive assurance against war
Emphasizing that submission Of in
tcrnal disputes to the league author
ity is optional, as also is the decision
Of member nations to so to war to
enforce an award of the arbitration
authorities made after such a submis-
sion. he found merit. however, in the
"mooling off, process set up in the
allowance of three months for con-
decision before disputes may so to
war
The provision for reports by mem
Der nations Of impending disputes
the former supreme court jurist as
serted, gives voice to the lesson Of
the great var. II commits to no ac-
ticn. leaves tlic door C2an for the
only cooperation that can be proper
" contemplated: tha.; is. the coopera-
ton when the tir1c Of the eXigcncy
is deemed to be adviSab ble."
Mr.. Hughes said that definite rec
ognition should be made in the league
Of nations covenant OF the Monroe
doctrine.