The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-03-31
Cannot Quit.

Cannot Quit.
With Great Britain, France, Italy and
Belgium. whose populations are less
than 100, 900, 900. confronted with the
vigorous n war-like peoples OF Ger
many German Austria. Hungary, Bull
gaTta, Russia and Turkey, numbering
2SO,O 900 and fast returning to bar
barism II the lawless violence OF bar
barous races" Mr.. Root asserted 1.-The
United States cannot quit. 1t must
go on with the performance OF It's
duty, 'Fo this reason he advocated
the retention OF Article 10, guarantee
ing the independence Of all the league
members with the reservation that
after five years any signatory may
withdraw from the obligation.
The former secretary regretted that
the senate was not convened, immed-
lately after March 4, ito perform its
duty" Of discussing the project. point
Ing that with the president and
Secretary Lansing, members OF the
American delegation, there would be
no executive official to supervise the
negotiations from the usual vantage
point OF the president and secretary
OF state passing upon the work Of sub
ordinates attending an International
c%OnClaYe.
The former secretary's suggested
amendments, annexed to his letter to
CHAIRMAN Hays, follow:
l., Strike out Article XIII (relstina
TO arbitration) and insert the follow
ing: The high contracting powers
agree to refer to the existing permanent
court Of arbitration at the Hague con-
ference when established, or to some
other arbitral tribunal, all disputes be-
tween them (including those affecting
honor and vital interests) which are
Of a justiciable character, and which
the powers concerned have failed to
settle by diplomatic methods. The
powers so referring to arbitration agree
to accept and give effect to the award
OF the tribunal,
Disputes Of a j%usticiable character
are defined as disputes as to the in
depreciation of a treaty, as to any ques-
ton Of international law, as to the
existence Of any fact which II estab-
lished would constitute a breach by
any International obligation, or as to
the nature and extent Of the repara-
tion to be made for any such breach.
Amy question which may arise as
to whether a dispute Is Of a justiciable
character Is to be referred for decision
to the court Of arbitral justice, when
constituted, or, until 1t is constituted,
to the existing permanent court of
arbitration at the Hague.
2, Add to Article XIV the following
paragraph:
The executive council shall call a
general conference Of the powers to
meet not less than w years or more
than five years after the signing of
this convention for the purpose OF re-
viewing the condition of International
law and of agreeing upon and stating
in authoritative form the principles and
rules thereof. Thereafter regular con
ferences for that purpose shall be called
and held at stated times.
To Safeguard u, s.
8. Immediately before the signature
Of the American delegates, insert the
following reservation:
lnasmuch as In becoming a member
of the league the United States OF
America is moved by no interest or wish
to intrude upon or interfere with the |
political policy or internal administra-
ton Of any foreign states, and by no
existing or anticipated dangers in the
affairs Of the American continents, but
accedes to the wish Of the European
that II shall Join its power to
theirs, for the preservation Of general
peace, the representatives OF the United
States Of America sign this convention
with the understanding that nothing
therein contained shall be construed
ia imply a REIMBURSEMENT by the United
States OF America Of Its traditional at
titude toward purely American ques-
lions, OF to require the submission Of
ltH pOllCy regarding SuCH questions
dncluding therein the admission OF inn
migrantsl to the decision orr recon-
Of other powers.
1. Add to Article Y guaranteeing
the existing status OF member states)
the following:
After the expiration Of five years
from the signing OF this convention,
any party may terminate its obliga-
ton under this article by giving one
years notice in writing TO the secre-
tary general OF the league.
s. Add to Article XI (relating to a
TO supervise the reduction
Of armaments.) the following;
Such commission shall have full pow
or Of inspection and notification per-
and by authorized agents as
10 all armament, equipment, munitions
and industries referred to in Article
VIII.
6. Add to Article XIV, the follow
ng:
The executive council shall call a
general conference of members Of the
oague to meet not less than five nor
more han ten years after the signing
this convention for the revision
and at that time or at any
ime thereafter upon one years notice,
member may withdraw from the