The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1919-09-04

tieth century can not devise a plan
to achieve justice without following
the tactics of the Hun? Remember
your obligations to generations unborn.
If we fail the world here, | shall look
upon it as the greatest national sin
we have ever committed, and l shall
likewise feel that we have been de-
liberately neglecting u material in
terest as well.
Have you ever considered the posi-
ton of danger we would be in if the
great commercial nations enter into
this league and we remain aloof? Our
commerce extends to the limits of the
entire globe, and we desire that our
merchant marine shall penetrate to all
ports of the world. Suppose we refuse
to enter this league, which has for
it's object the protection of the world
from the aggI essions of predatory ma
tons. Why would we not be regarded
with enmity and suspicion? Our grea.
commercial interests, rich lands, our
favored geographical position, would
SOOu pldCS 10 LII Liz pocilioii VI SSohu
ing alone, with the other civilized ma
tons combined against us. The time
might come when there would DE a
vast combination against us to refill
their treasures and discharge their
debts. To my mind, such an opportu-
nifty should not be given under any
pretext, and this should be given care
full consideration in determining our
course regarding this alliance.
We have another reason for urging
this In the Far East at this
time signs are increasing that Boil
shevism with it's reign of terror may
yet without our help overrun Europe.
The armies of France, England, and
our allies are the only influence now
stemming the tide. We entered this
wal in good faith for the purpose of
making the world safe, not for law
~lessness, but for democracy with its
law and order. Will they believe we
were acting in good faith as We claim
if we abandon them now when, with
the possible exception of time when
we were at their side IN the decisive
battle field, they are at the most crit
ical time in their life's history? And,
Mr.. President, if France is at a crit
ical time from this cause, the crisis
is also upon England and all the civ.
ilized countries, including our own. II
France should be engulfed, the calam'
ity is not her own alone. The danger
of it hovers over us as well as them.
Paragraph 10 has been more largely
commented upon and cited as a dan
gerous paragraph than anything else
in the covenant. Let us see how IT
reads:
Article 20-The members of the
league undertake to respect and pre-
serve as against external aggression
the territorial integrity and existing
political independence of all members
of the league. In case of any sucf
aggression, or in case of any threat
OF, danger of such aggression, the coun
Gil shall advise upon the means by
which this obligation shall be fulfilled
Mr.. President, l am unable to see
anything in this that is not perfectiJ
plain and clear. Further, / am unable
70 see how it would be possible Il
have a covenant at all with any virtue
or effect without the provisions which
this paragraph embodies.
Opponents of the league have com
mented on Washington's views as ex
pressed in his farewell address. ad
yising against "~entangling alliances
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