Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-07-25
A DOUBTFUL DOOR.

When the spider asked ule ny W
walk into the incest little parlor That
ever he did spy. the foolish fly paused
rot to consider when ard how egrcSs
was to be made. through door That
though open could not be reached
with feet or wings entangled in a web
cunningly woven.
The covenant of the league of ma
tons leaves the door open for any
member to withdraw within two
years, provided it has kept its obliga-
tions to the satisfaction of the league.
But the league is to be the jury and
may hold that a dissatisfied nation
has shirked Then withdrawal will
bring down upon the seceder the
wrath of the league, a refusal to do
busipess with the offender, boycott
as to supplying food, or war by all
nations.
Withdrawal looks far easier than it
mdy prove to be William Taft has
finally concluded that the way should
be made safer than it is under the
covenant, and that to the league
should be left no right to veto with
drawal. Also that after ten years
this country should have the righ. TO
withdraw, without conditions.
Yet even with concessions upon this
point America might be so vhmeshed
i'm the web of affairs>that egress would
be very difficult. The country might
be divided by an issue due to obliga-
tons incurred abroad, or the debts
that would be due this country by
peoples who would not pay if Ameri-
ca cut loose from the combination,
the manufactures and the guardianship
of the baby nations now being set up.
In time the United States may be
glad TO back up the great foreign
nations that seek help to keep quiet
the countries and peoples that have
come under dominion as prizes of
war taken from Germany.
But the people in this country are
not yet convinced that further bur
dens should be taken over without
considering when and how the pack
may be lightened or discarded.
1t is easier to join than to Sc
cede. 1t is easier to enter a maze
than to emerge.
The history of the formation Of the
federal union shows that three of the
states expressly reserved the right to
withdraw, if they so willed, at any
time. But when occasion arose yir-
gina was unable to make an exist,
either by ballot, by legal methods or
by resort to arms.
In ratifying the federal constitution
the state of Virginia made a reserva-
ton saying the people of Virginia
declare and make known that the
powers granted under the constitu-
ton being derived from the people OF
the United States may be resumed by
them whatsoever the same shall be
perverted to their injury or oppres-
SION
The Nirginians eventually found
there was no way out. Not even could
they fight their way out.
New York's ratification of the fed
eral constitution declared that the
powers Of government may be re-
assumed by the people. whatsoever
it shall become necessary to their
happiness"
Rhode Islands ratification declared
that the powers of government may
be reassumed by the people. whenso-
ever it shall become necessary to their
happiness"
But not only by force was the res
ervation smashed, for in case in
the supreme court during the civil
war, it was established that notwith-
standing strings to the agreement the
states could not pass out and the
federal union was indissoluble.
The league of nations is to have an
executive council that will be an au-
tocracy, with no supreme court or
legislative body to overrule or hold
il in check. What it says must stand.
The council will be legislative, execu-
tive and judiciary in its scope A
three-in-one body
If its decision be disregarded. the
club of war, boycott, or food embargo
will follow. and members will be
called to participate in disciplining the
Z director, by cfushing war or other
method decided upon by the majority
One could get out of the mixup only
after two years. during which partc-
ipation would be required. or the right
to withdraw could be denied on the
ground that obligations had not been
fulfilled. Discipline would be in order