The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1919-04-04


marine will not fall under a vote of
European countries, which quite
naturally would prefer to keep the
monopoly of this particular activity?
Who will be the Judge? Evidently
the league will have something to say
about It. The gentleman from In
diana (Mr. Wood called our atten-
ton awhile ago to the restrictive reg
ulations by Great Britain touching
the commerce leaving our shores. 1t
appears by this practice already our
merchant marine is somewhat under
the control of overseas power This
covenant increases this power.
Article 81 proposes to give to the
league certain powers over the COM
merce of the nations making up the
league. This article, read in the
light of article 20, which looks to be
a permanent international labor bu-
reau, will show the subtle plan of
placing the matter of our own COM
mercial standing in legislation look
ing to maintain American standards
under a groupe of European coun-
tries. The moment this authority is
granted we will hear Democratic free
trade politicians demand all prospec-
tive legislation be repealed upon the
basis that to favor an American
standard not reached by Europe is
not within the authority of this ma
ton, because by this covenant we
have surrendered any such authority
We may have had to the findings of
the league of nations, of which we
are responsible party.
The most dangerous feature of. this
proposed constitution of the world is
the provision which makes this indie
pendent, self-ruling Republic a con-
stituent part of a league which ex-
ercises supreme authority, through a
body of delegates without name or
number, each of which will have
equal authority in all matters which
come before it with this Republic.
The matters of consideration are not
defined, therefore not limited II
tie Monroe doctrine Is included on the
judgement of majority of the mem
bers. what resourse have we after we
have entered the league, which
speaks by majority vote? If immi-
grafton is included according to a
majority of the league, what is our
defense? If tariff is included ac-
cording to the judgement of the ma
jority, what have we left hut to sur
render or commit a breach of cove
nant? This nation should never, I'M
der any circumstances surrender its
sovereignty on any questions which
pertain to its future welfare to a vote
of league made up of an indetermi-
nate number of countries whose ma
jor interests can not be expected to be
identical with our own.
Article &c purports to provide for
amendment of the league. OF course
no amendment in the interest of the
United States will likely ever be made
as it requires the vote of all the nine
states which are represented in the
council. and then the ratification of
of the states repre-
sented in the body of delegate 8, which
must be nideterminate. If it should
be claimed by the proponents of this
proposition that qioS-
tons / have named are not included
in the league, no man of sense will
deny that under article 26 amend
ments can be made by interested ma
tons to include these questions.
l look upon this proposition as
mcnstrous. am | predict that Just IS
soon as the American people shall
grasp the vicious pos',;Li, ties herein
included there VIII be such a revo-
luton of ser, .ment arr ised that any
man who will subscribe to this per-
petual surrender of this republics f"
.ure to vote of foreign rations will
b.. as he should be, repudiated as
Avn enemy 10 me spirit ard genius "f
American institutions.
-or----