The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-07-22
REPUBLICAN ASKS
THAT PEACE PACT
Be %SAFEGUARDED

WASHINGTON. July disappearing
the league of nations in a senate speech
today Senator McNary, Republican,
oregon, urged that it be accepted with
out any such amendments or reserVa-
tons as would alter the splendid pur-
poses of the covenant or weaken it so
far as it affects our duties"
The senate. said the speaker, could
without harm adopt certain "reserva-
tons in the form of interpretations
but should not endanger the covenant
by making reservations that would vi
tally effect important features, Article
10, he said. must be ~unimpaired be-
cause it was 1.-The pillar section Of The
league.
''Of the objections I AXE it that Ar
ticle 10 Is the most obnoxious and pro-
ductive Of the most controversy, The
statement most generally made is that
this article collides with our constitu-
ton and run across the path Of our
sacred traditions. Repeatedly the ar
gument has been advanced that Article
10 casts upon this government an alb
solute obligation to go to wal under
any conditions, however bereft of JUS
tice. The Indictment, in my opinion,
is u~ntenable.
by the force Of another article in
the covenant the council, in arriving
at a decision will be governed by unan-
imous vote, the power or veto standing
between this country and an unwIse
remedy?
''~Indisputably this provision casts up
on this country an undertaking to go
to war to protect an associate of the
league from invasion through external
force, but this obligation, entirely de-
pendent upon the condition that the
cause of the war and the war Itself
is violative of the moral conscience of
the American people.
''In M gpngn car the nYnpltiVn branch
of the government, aided by the SEN
ate, cast any legal obligation upon this
or any future congress to pass a dec
laration of war upon any nation, how
ever unjustly offending.
The moral force in the obligation
imposed upon the nations of the world,
In my opinion, will do much to chill
the ambitious designs OF nations that
heretofore have been the cause of cruel
ties of war and for that reason ] shall
oppose by my vote any eradication of
Article 10 from the covenant.
1T is the pillar section OF the associa-
ton of nations contemplated under the
league, and is the assurance of mutual
support against any external aggres~
sion. 1t speaks the voice of freedom
among the nations and guarantees to
each it's full share of sovereignty. Il
makes possible and encourages the re-
duction of ornaments. as no nation viii
disarm unless assured that 1t will not
be attacked by another nation,
Doubt has risen with regard to the
uncertain contents of the covenant.
From the opponents of the league comes
a demand for amendments and rcser-
v%ations, without proper regard for the
results hat will flow from such a
course. An amendment would mean
such a substantial change in some ar
ticle OF the covenant as to require the
concurrence Of the ~signatory nations
thereto. and probably lead to delay and
much controversy and possible rejec-
ton.
However, the senate could without
postponipg the day of ratification Of
the treaty or requiring It's resubmis-
sion to the other nations by a resolu-
ton place its Interpretation as to the
meaning Of articles in the league sus-