Arizona republican., 1919-02-16
The Leaque of Nations

The covenant of League of Nations upon which an agreement has been reached by the five great powers at Paris is very long step toward realiza- ton Of a dream of a half century--one which for the last four years has been a troubled dream The covenant is not yet of course, league, nor is it more than m outline plan for league. As the presi- dent said in presenting it. "the clothes arc yet to be put on'
 It is something more and something less than a treaty. It may be given force without the formal assent Of d legislative body. yet the part that any nation may take in it will depend upon legislation enacted from time to time. to enable the nation to perform it's part A violent opposition now or a re- fusaI of a legislative body at future time would exclude a nation from the league in spite of the ac ton Of its sisnatories
 The covenant will probably provoke oppos- tion in this country; that Is, serious opposition that may not be compromised. In all respects it is much better than many had feared it would be. However. before assent is given demand will be made for d further construction of various articles and a more definite arrangement of details for all of which provision is made in the covenant.
 A single objection. one however that may be met if it cannot be overcome, will be made to the matter of arbitration provided in Article XII While that does definitely recognize non-arbi- trable disputes it appears to do to leave the way open to do so. and may be construed as to meet the views or douDucss the majority or the people of this country that dispute touching the national honor is a proper subject for arbitra- ton.
 But in this connection even a -arbitrable mat ter could without compromise to the aggrieyed ma ton be submitted to the court. for arbitration but that the uncomfortable character of it might be determined Then would ensue the period of three months within which war might not be begun, a cooling-off period within which differences might be adjusted. In that time, with the eyes of the world upon them and the voice of the world coun- selling peace the dsputants would endeavor to ar rive at a peaceful solution.
 The only other matter concerning which there would have objections in this country ap pears to have been obvated in those articles reat ing to mandatory powers in colonies and small tries the recalcitrancy Of sgnatory and to causes Of war among nations which do not take upon themselves the obligations of the covenant. The thing to which the people of this country would never consent would be to become part of world police power. assigned to distant duty in African Asian disputes or even in European outbreaks,
 The various articles relating to such contingen- cics, however. by the recurring expression. geo. graphical position" relieve of that duty and im- pose upon us only the task Of executing tho terms of the covenant in own natural sphere-that is, within the jurisdiction Of the Monroe Doctrine. in whose enforcement have been so lax. that the covenant will give vitality to that doctrine
 We have no natural concern in Africa the Near East in the small European countries while Great Britain France and Italy deeply concerned there. By reason Of the Philippines and by greater to n than any other signatory than Japan, and by the obligations undertook long ago with respect 10 the integrity of China we would have a Tn tho Far East and certainly we would respond to the call of the covenant for duty there.
 All will be in accord with that part of the GOV snsnt relating to the limitation of armament though the limitation remains be defined. Some perhaps will impure why, nowhere in the covenant is allusion made to the freedom of the seas. That it may be said. is proper subject for the peace treaty than for the constitution of a League of Nations Moreover. well-defned limitation of armament would automatically the question of the free dom of the seas
 of dispute under the world conditions of the past 100 years-the most fruitful cause-com- mercia rivalry is in large part removed by the agreement against favored nation clauses in com mercia treaties which too often too quickly have become translated into offensive and defensive alli- ances and war-iIke groupings. Here too, is a pro- hbition of secret treaties between members of the league. It would be unthnkable. in any scheme of a family of nations, that there should be a private understanding that special benefits should accrue to less than the whole number of members
 One Of the surest guarantes Of peace we think. Is carried in Article IN. which provides for a sur- reilIancc Of war preparation activities so that the whole league would be warned before great progress could be made by any nation bent upon war. Never again could such confagraton the world war any other great be suddenly and surprisingly started without preparation for meeting it.
 As Senator Hitchcock observed the League of Nations is a There iS nro.,id.5 ample power, military. naval and economic for the punishment of recalcitrants and those who choose not to take the obligations of the league That is something that has been insisted upon vigorously by all who have advocated effective league It has been realized that the league must have more solid foundation than moral force and must depend upon