South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-03-30
THE MONROE DOCTRINE "BoGY" AND
THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS COVENANT
IN LIGHT OF A SCORE OF TREATIES

M moment the United States entered demand
before the peace conference for inequality in
its favor through insistence that the integrity Of
the Monroe doctrine be recognized and specifically
guaranteed BY the League OF Nations covenant.
other nations would rise up and too announce GER
tain things that they call blessed American critics
OF the covenant by insistence upon such specih-
cation need not surprised that Japan should have
come forward with its demand for racial equality
and France should revive its wish to have the world
guarantee her greater military security repayng
for all she has Suffered even back through the
wars OF the great Napoleon.
National selhshness-esotistcal assumption Of
right 10 some special prfvrege-is OF all these
special demands with respect 10 Japan perhaps
less than any OF others There be special
privilege in equality, racial equality, that
unless be the enlarged privilege Of being equal
There is as much sane logic in the gospel Of Asia
for the Asiatics" there is in America for the
Americans" Besides the Monroe doctrine is amply
safeguarded the original draft, without making
II special issue. the only object in forcing such
issue being quite beyond question. a
it Is possible. and cause the League OF Nations
idea to fail.
Pres't wson might well have turned deaf ear
criticisms OF the leagues opponents. so far
the Monroe doctrine. They may be honest
their criticisms OF the covenant in spots but the
Monroe doctrine Is not of those spots. Greater
the matter Of immigration. authority
ment liability to war acceptance OF mandatory
responsibilities and OF the other details Of
league organization, nothing could be plain
than the section that the Monroe
doctrine; indeed enlarging it and making it the
doctrine OF the world.
What is that doctrine. do you suppose. applied
the Americas? Much OF this criticism OF the
league constitution on account OF It, is from people
who never it their lives, including some
''near-sta tesmen" A little OF international his
tory involving that doctrine will be OF interest Just
now. particularly since understood the man
which the league plan conserves it, exposes
the demagoguery and camouhage INDUCED by the
league critics. depending their support upon the
ignorance OF those who know the doctrine
is nothing particularly wonderful about the
doctrine and its whole record involved inter
national matters can be told in a few words It
has been more fetish than doctrine. object
OF pentup internal pride provocative Of external
smiles. perhaps frequently than anything else
in history.
It all came about incident to the recognition
OF the independence OF several South America re-
publcs back in 1928 Prest Monroe. in discussing
Them before congress. handing them this pit
for SOP II recommending United
States responsibility for the maintenance
OF the integrity OF those republics; and would feel
hurt any Infringement
We could not view any interposition for the
purpose OF expressing them. controlling in
any other manner their destiny. by any European
power. I'm any other light than as a manifestation
OF an unfnendy disposition toward the United
ststes"
Prest Cleveland. pressing the Monroe doctrine
tOtaD extreme point saidI
the Monroe doctrine hnds it's recognition In
Choee principles OF international law which
based upon the theory that every nation shall
forced"
Article y OF the Paris covenant for the League of
Nations provides for the fufhment OF this principle
s4s1nSI
The high contracting parties shall undertake
~ respect and preserve against external ag-
erosion. the territorial integrity and existing po-
htical independence OF al states-members of the
league"
Critics this clause asserting that the position
e Se United States which they assert the sole ar
bitter or matters relating the doctrine,
peril merely exhibiting their lack OF acquaint-
win their subject The United States is
longer sole srbiter IN matters relating this
trine ana hasn't been for years Many treaties con-
eluded IN the last half decade provide:
that All disputes between them OF every nature
whatsoever. which diplomacy shall fail adjust
shall be submitted for investigation and report
to an international commission. The
national commission shall be composed OF five
members be appointed follows: One mem
Der shall be chosen nom each country. by the
government thereof: member shall be chosen
by each government from some third country;
the hfth member shall be chosen by common
agreement between the two governments.
Pending the investigation and report OF the in
ternationaI commission the high contracting
parties agree not 10 increase their military or
naval program"
The United States has ratified than 20 Of
these treaties and more. least, in process
Of negotiation. Article XII OF the Paris covenant
that.
the high contracting parties agree that should
disputes arise between them which cannot be
adjusted by the ordinary processes or diplomacy,
rrllli in 10 var wit