New-York tribune., 1919-03-12
Backs
League, but
Orgses Changes
Continued from page |

blackballs may keep out an uncon-
genial applicant. This world league
is for the world
"The President has we'll said that
our nation is not interested in league
unless all nations are IN IT. The quail
hcntion for admission ought to be
fixed, and then it ought to be made
as easy as possible for those who are
qualified to gain admission. Under no
circumstanc, should the consent of
moro than a majority be required for
the admission of any qualified nation.
"Thc faults Of the constitution arc
found to be in its indctinitncss rather
than in things positively Objectionable.
For instance. 1t is not stated with 1uf-
ficient clcamcss that the Monroe Doc
trne is preserved.
"Our nation is not asking to be per
mitted to assist in the settlement Of
European disputes, and therefore 1t
ought not to be asked to give up its
paramount influence in the Western
Hemisphere as a condition precedent to
its entry into the league. Then. too, it
is not stated with sufficient clcarncss
that a lague member is not required to
become mandatary.
at ought to be definitely stated that
a nation asked to become a mandatory
is at liberty to accept or decline.
Again, it should be made clear that the
league is not to Interfere in the inter
nal affairs Of the nations belonging to
the league. The league is for the set
tlement of international disputes, not
for the adjustment Of differences be-
tween nation and its own people.
"Another matter that should be made
clear-and nothing can be more impor-
tant than this-is that each nation has
right to decide for itself whether it
will undertake the things advised by
the general council.
"The language of the constitution,
while not definite, would seem to ind-
cate that no nation is required to fur
nish force to back up a decision of the
council. But no doubt should be left on
this subject.
This nation cannot afford to allow a
council in which it has so small voice
to carry it into war against its will
Our people will have as much sense
when the time comes to act as they
have now, and they will have more light
/ to guide them. When the emergenc,
arises and they understand all the cir
cumstaces and conditions they may be
willing to assist by force, but they can
not decide in advance and allow a coun-
Gil to decide for them
HS CONSTRUCTION Ol the league
would seem to imply the right of the
council to compel the declaration OF
an economic boycott by the members
of the league. This is not quite sc
serious as the declaration Of war, but
economic boycott is likely to develor
into war and an economic boycott
may be pecuniarily advantageous tc
the nations that want to declare it
Our interests may not be identical ir
this respect, and we ought to have &
right to say at the time whether we
would declare such a boycott.
81 venture to suggest that the scope
of the leagues work might we'll be
extended beyond what is now con
templated a substitute for war must
be able to deal with every situation
that can become n cause of war
zone Of the most fruitful causes
of war has been the necessity for ex-
pansion. Growing nations feeling the
necessity for more room, have often
gone to war on some clumsy pretext
when the real purpose has been to Sc
cure territory for an increasing pop
ulation. The right to live is one OF
the inalienable rights. 1t is a prma