Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1919-10-03
ARGUMENTS AGAINST
PEACE TREATY
J. Reuben Clark, international Law
Expert, Points Out Weakness
of League Covenant

The following excerpts are from
the address delivered by Maj. J. Reu-
ben Clark at a bipartisan meeting
held in the Salt Lake Tabernacle re-
Gently. Mr.. Clark is claimed to be
the best authority on international
law in the United States, and has ac-
ted as personal advisor to the Pres
ment of the United States on the sub
ject. Naturally his opinions will
carry considerable weight:
J. Reuben Clark is we'll known here
as the second principal of the Branch
Normal, succeeding Milton Bennion.
In introducing Mr.. Clark to the aud
fence Bishop Charles G. Nibley, the
presiding officer, said Of Mr.. Clark:
"Major Clark's life has been spent
tn studying just these questions. He
knows more Of these things than we
do ! feel safe in saying that at the
last meeting held in this tabernacle
by the League to Enforce Peace we
we're carried away with enthusiasm
but not with the result Of fuller
thought. Now we can hear the other
side and make our own decision"
warn you that il you put in oper-
stion this league we shall have per-
manent compulsory military system
which will reach into the homes Of
every one Of you, to take of your
sons and husbands to fight in battles
IN which we have no concern, which
have no permanent effect upon the
history Of the world, and in the issues
Of which we cannot by the stretch Of
the imagination be ourselves affected.
It is not customary to go into q
street brawl and risk your life merely
for the abstract idea that a fight is
wrong. Why should we 90 into an
international brawl on any such
theory? Would it not be wiser to
save American life to protect America
and her institutions?
Go Legally to War.
Again, il two nations get into a
dispute and, pursuant to the terms Of
the treaty, they refer the matter eth
or to arbitration, or to the council, or
to the assembly Of the league itself,
they may under the treaty go legally
70 war after three months from the
rendering Of the decision, II such de-
cision so rendered be not satisfactory
to them.
What shall be the alignment Of the
other powers in such war so waged
il entirely unstipulated in the treaty
and we should not know to what
lengths war so sanctioned by the
treaty itself might lead us.
Further, If after the determination
Of such a difficulty by the council, by
arbitration, or by the assembly, one
Of the parties thereto shall fail to OBJ
serve that decision, war is legalized
against such party.
Again, a war is not declared illegal
where it results from a situation or
dispute concerning which, either the
council or the assembly has not been
able to reach unanimous decision,
including the parties in interest.
Finally. if two nonmembers OF the
league refuse obligations Of member
ship for the purpose of dispute be-
tween them and go to war, then war
either for or against either OF these
parties on the part Of members Of the
league is proper and legal.
Article x Provides.
But even these are not the most
drastic or significant Of the compul.
sorry war provisions. BY article x OF
the league covenant we guarantee the
territorial status quo Of the various
allied and associated powers as estab-
lshed by the treaty.
I am fully aware Of the contention
put forth by proponents Of the league
that this is but moral obligation;
that Congress IL It does not wish ia
70 to war may disavow this moral OBJ
LEGATION, and that we, like Achilles OF
old, may sulk in our tents while those
who have relied upon our promised
aid have already entered upon war
counting upon our assistance, war
in which without our help, so counted
upon because we were under moral
obligation to enter it, they may be-
come the vanquished.
Allow me again to say that this
contention that il is a moral obliga-
ton only is so dishonorable, is sc
base in its every aspect, so wholly un-
American, that even the most ardent
proponent should cease to use it.
II we are to have the league, with
Its obligations, let US take it and let
US live up to the full measure of its
obligations whatever their character
Do not, | beg of you, lend your sup
port to this instrument with the
thought that we may upon our whim
breech our duties and responsibilities
under It, Have those who urge this
contention considered that If as to us
this is an obligation to be disregarded
at WILL IL may be disregarded at will
by all other powers. And that IL no
power is really bound, you can have
under no theory league worth Gre
ating.
Territorial Guarantees.