The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-07-14
LEAGUE SUPPORT
DEBT TO WORLD
SWANSON SAYS
Covenant One of Worlds
Greatest Documents, De-
clares Virginia Senator.
(By Associated Press)


the league of nations covenant as
"one Of the worlds greatest docu-
ments," Senator Swanson of Virginia,
a Democratic member of the foreign
relations committee, told the senate
today that If the United States reject
ed the league 1t would mean that she
would skulk in the greatest world
crisis that ever occurred"
The speaker defended the league
against the objections that it would
sacrifice sovereignty and American
traditions and asserted that on the
contrary 1t would result In immense
material commercial gain in protect
ing American integrity and preventing
war. He declared it would not create
a super-government, involve objection
able obligations nor invalidate the
Monroe doctrine.
THE pathway Of our duty is plain"
said Senator Swanson.
Let US not be frightened by our own
prodigious shadow as 1t projects itself
into world affairs. Let US not be de-
tered from our manifest duty and
destiny by a craven fear Of becoming
great in giving service and direction
to a world in direct hour of its needs
and distress.
Social Order Shaken.
Pointing out that the war had shak
en- the social order to It's foundation,
the Virginia senator said 1t was the
paramount obligation Of responsible
statesmen to prevent another such
conflagration, which would return the
world Ito the rule Of brute force and
barharism of the dark ages"
THE covenant of the league has
been assailed from two opposite
sources" he continued. "the league
will neither be a superstate nor SOW
erefgn, nor helpless, powerless as
sociation of nations. The instrument
creating the league is covenant, en-
tered into by sovereign states. One
Of the attributes of sovereignty is the
ability to make covenants or agree
ments. That a state reserves its full
sovereignty is conclusively settled by
the provision allowing any member to
wise, ever thus expressly provided
means for It's dissolution.
| This covenant, If ratified by the
senate, would be no more nor less
than treaty legalized under our con-
, stitution. The plan for the formation
OF the league Is skilfully conceived,
and the only one possible under exist
ing political conditions. ,sa.sE -s.-
The feague could never be organ.
ized on any basis other than that of
equal representation. II members
were accorded difference In represen
tation, upon what basis should the ap-
| portionment be made? If upon popu.
lation, China and India would domin-
ate the league and the United States
would have only one-ffth of the mum.
Der. If based upon wealth and mill
| tary power, the situation would be
equally as uncertain and unsatisfac-
tory.
What better plan for disarmament
could be devised? The council Is d.
rected to prepare general plan OF
disarmament for the consideration OF
| the governments, which plan Is not
binding upon any of the states until
| approved by that state. Under our
government, the proposed plan to be
effective In binding us must have the
sanction of congress, which is en-
trusted under the constitution with
the power Of raising armies and
equipping the navy.
Guarantees inde ependence
Under Article 10 each member OF
the league undertakes, first, to respect
the territorial integrity and politica
| independence Of all other members o
the league When the nations of thu
world sobered by sorrow and suffer
ing, are willing to raise their hands
and take this solemn pledge, are We
sullenly and stubbornly to stand aside
and become a stumbling block in the
way of this noble achievement? Dc
any of them have possessions that We
view with covetous eyes and propose
to seize and annex?
THE second obligation assumed BY
each member is to preserve as agains
external aggression to territorial in
tegrity and existing political independ
ence of all members of the league
This is nature corollary from the
first In the former we undertake no.
to rob our associates ourselves, an(
in this we agree not to permit other:
to do so. This guarantee of territoria
integrity and political independence is
limited to those cases where they are
threatened or attacked by externa
aggression, and does not apply tt
revolution without a nation. A ma
tons internal affairs are left undis
turbed Nationality with its vita
stimulating patriotism, would be pre-
served. given new life and oppor
tunity"