The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-07-15

political independence Of all
members of the league. In case
OF any such aggression or in
case OF any threat or danger OF
such aggression the council shall
advise upon the means by which
this Obligation shall be fulfilled.
Thos9 of our conntrymen who an
tasonize the league have directed
against this provision their most
persistent and unrelenting opposition
They have insisted that the assuInp-
ton by us of this obligation would
embroil US in interminable wars with
all the attendant expense and danger.
They have presented dire fcrebodings
OF United States troops being sent to
every part of the globe to settle petty
territorial quarre]s They contend
that In adopting this provision of the
covenant 1.-The United States uses her
power. without any recompense what
ever. TO bring to other nations repose
and security. They declare that the
acceptance of this would impose upon
the United States intolerab.e buroen MS
and would bring no substantial bene-
nts They protest against 1t as a
wide departure from our former
foreign policy which must inevitably
lead to international complications
and trouble
. Obligation on Each Member.
Let us examine this section of the
covenant thoughtfully and dispas-
sonateiy to determine whether these
objections obtain, and whether our
burdens or our benefits would exceed
ny our acceptance. II should be
noted that this Is an obligation as
sumed. not by the league as an en-
tnety, but by each member individu-
any Each member OF the league I'M
dertakes first. TO respect the terri
torlal integrity and existing political
independence. Of all members of the
league. This is solemn promise
made by each member of tho league
that 1t will never endeavor to ACQUIRE
ny conquest or aggression any of the
territory or. possessions of any other
member of the league In common
parlance. we would agree not to rob
any OF our associates in the league and
.hey would agree not to rob us. II this
league rs consumated as contem-
pialea, " means i,nm ediately that
four-ffths of the world and even
tuaiiy all the world, agrees TO cease
from wars of conquest and despoil
ment II adhered to il wou]d
eliminate the causes which have pro-
duced most OF the wars of the past
II observed. there is not member
or the league, great or small that
ever would have its individual. politi-
cal existence threatened: and no more
"ould the history of the world be en-
cum nered with the frightful wreck of
Feople and nations through lust of
conquest IL means the dawn of a
new DAY IN human affairs when prac-
ticaIiy tho world agrees to refrain
from wars of despoilment dav in
winch each receding hour will bring
greater spiendors of peace progress
and prosperity.
Are We to be Hindranceo
New, when the nations of the world
ca hN sorrow and suffering, al
ntpst 100 stupendous to bear. with
ie"i ~ one accord are willing 10 raise
tnelr hands and make the Solemn
pleuse' are we sullenly and stub
poFhiy 10 stand aside and become a
stumbling block in the way Of this
NOBLE achievement Are We 70 rn;ss
me davs of our opportunity foretild
~itn almost Divine foresight bv our
ia'hefs, when we should become the
eaeinplar or the world for tust,ca
iioertY' and peace? Why should wa
refrain from undertaking to- rasnac,
,he territorial integrity and politfcal
Independence OF members of -
league; DO any or them have hHs~
sessions that We View with covstous
sSes and propose to seize and anne. ,
my" Oh none. Our territory is am
pre Tor our purposes and delevonment
AN OBTAIN neither Increased
"'t. nor strength by endeayorine
rfa. iitate new. incongruous peo-
~ Are there lurking among us
lHOSe Possessed ~ -
9,shS' Who desire to embark Tho
United States upon career 90
pansloh and are unwilling to sec bor
t'efed ny this honorable promise.
- s"ch exist, the pledge should be
"'"oe III order 10 restrain them fror,
EVER FORCING this government Gto such
NentureSome and dangerous sr,ar
piir'' oermany today, wrecked ava
uiheo' furnishes melancholy nraor a,
me SAD fact, that the road * ar,
'ioh ana conquest inevltablv ,a.ds
70 disaster. From every constituencies
We gan Well afford to entar mt ~
n'"N world compact not 10 en-,ro
t.;,, u. hs wars to seize the terri
-. " o'hefs not to overthrow their
Iii """uce ana subject them to our
~" RUE. rho form alton OF sucb
cn,s,',' ana tar-reaching agreement
constitutes orc OF the mos, ,n,n.
.ac,s IN The history OF a gloomy ans
uuuoieo world and marks rho ~,
saih,nent or what the most honss,,I
MeaIist never thought possible -
eao arigT what is in tho hea,,
n'iho OF my countrymen. thew ara Az
SiH'ihed that no adverse actior
sheirs snah shat,er these ntoax;nn
prospects and make these h.ian.
'''PeS u,ssoiVe into empty dreams
~ protection Of Territory.
"r' president. the second oh,t,.
,ion assumed >by each n,en,ha 'sa-
leaeue individually Is to "nrassr,. 'ise
asainst external aggression the tsrr;
- ;ua integrity and existing no,itira1
,naehenuence of all members NJ -
ms is natural corol1ar,.
AZ. 1871 'he nrst. In the former we nv
oertake not to rob our associata. WI
seiVes' and I'm this We agree not IS oo
MI. o'hers 70 do SO; each associate p .s
sum'ns like obligation to us ''e as
~ should be noted that th;n
s,.a or territorial integrity ana az
nsicai independence is limited, 70 !, 20
eases where they are threats ~ nose
suAcked by external aggres.ior os
aces not apply to revolution W.. aho
,ae. A nations internal affairs "a
!e1t undisturbed. A nation can are
.on, modiry. or change its exist;rr
government according to the wishas
.ne people. II necessary to 1900, W
pllsh these purpos%s force