Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-03-13
mr.. BRYAN on THE WORLD LEAGUE

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In his comment on the draft of a constitution for the
league Of nations Mr. Bryan could not resist the tempta-
ton to put in his plea for a little personal glory. He SAYS
that the provision that there must be elaboration and In
vestigation of disputes before war begins was inspired By
the 80 treaties which he negotiated with a. many coun-
tries on behalf Of the United States while he was secretary
OF state. Mr.. Bryan il a lover Of peace. He did what he
could. in the negotiation Of these treaties, to prevent the
United States from becoming Involved In war. ana to point
the way whereby. through the application Of this ptin-
ciple by other nations in their intercourse with each
other. all wars might be avoided. For his intsht and his
effort, and for his success in obtaining the acceptance by
other nations in their relations with the United States. he
is entitled to credit.
But II MI. Bryan intends to claim originality in this
matter. he takes . position which he cannot maintain.
The value Of elaboration in avsrting hostilities was rec,
ognized long before he was born, and the principle has
been given a constantly Increasing application both in the
affairs of individuals and in the relations Of nations. Mr..
Bryan added his mite to the total. It would be much
more nearly correct to say that the plans now under dis
cusdon we're taken from the suggestions Of the League
Ito Enforce Peace, and, Of course. that league merely gave
expression to ideas in existence long before its orsanixa-
|tion.
With the inconsistency which has 30 often charac-
terized him in the past, Mr.. Bryan in one breath expresses
the conviction that "the league is the greatest step toward
peace in a thousand years." and suggests amendments
which cannot be made without overturning some of the
fundamental features of the plan that is now under con-
federation. He suggests that because Of its population,
wealth and moral influence the United States should be
given greater representation in the league than other
nations not so populoua, wealthy or influential. That
would involve the adoption OF an entirely new basis of
representation, not for the United States alone, but for all
the other nations. Undoubtedly representation on tho
basis of population. with proper allowance for wealth
and moral influence has been considered at the confer
|ence. And. after whatever consideration has been given,
it has been decided that the principle of national SOW
ereignty shall govern. That decision cannot be reversed
without throwing the whole question open and beginning
lal over again. F.
The objection that the validity Of the Monroe doc
trine is not specifically provided for has been answered
many times. The answer il that in q document declaring
for the Independence and integrity Of all the nations Of the
world there is no need for special mention Of the nations
of a part of the world. To include mention Of the Monroe
doctrine would do no harm II that it did not lead the way
to a demand for the inclusion Of special mention Of a
multitude of other things pertaining to special and local
interests.
Mr.. Bryan would have nations admitted by a major
iy vote of those already members. The constitution pro-
vdes for q two-thirds vote. 1nasmuch as it is proper to
require an applicant for membership to give very con-
elusive evidence Of fitness and good faith, the two-thirds
rule seems quite reasonable.
In his objections to any provision which may at any
time require the United States to use force or the boycott
against a nation which has violated the peace provisions
of the league Mr.. Bryan showss that he retains all OF. his
ancient faith in argument as a means of settling all dis
putes. As a matter of fact. every nation that joins this
league under the constitution as framed will declare az
advance that it will use whatever force may be necessary,
either of the physical kind or as involved in the boycott,
to bring to time a nation which has gone to war in def
ance of the provisions of the league. And that element Of
compulsion is really the backbone of the whole plan.
Without it the league would be a mere debating society.
and world conditions would not be materially altered by
lit. The constitution and all the covenants entered into
under it would be just as binding as the treaty has been.
and no more. We know how Germany regarded her trea-
ties, and how she disposed Of them. And had Germany
then been a member Of a world league that had not teeth
and claws her behavior would have been no different.