Arizona republican., 1919-03-25
The Greuory ProViso

Former Attorney General Gregory. We believe has not been anywhere accused of being sl@at and skill fI lawyer but deny that he is d frank and ingenious one. perhaps without meaning be, after reading his proposal remodel the coFenant of the League of Natons-after a fashion. That the former attorney general thinks it does not really need re- modelling; that it already sufficiently the integrity Monroe doctrine is uni1uportant since that is only the opinion of MT Gregory against which we have the greater opinion of many more widely recognized American lawyers of ability as well as the lately expressed opinion Of Brcish statesmen
 Nothing that Mr. Gregory has said on that sub iect can therefore very impressive but that does not what he has said is interesting and entertaining.
 He is willing to make a concession to the ground less fears of his countrymen by amendment, pro vso that the covenant shall operaSe against the nations of the western hemisphere unless the United States and other western countries shall approve" Mir Gregory sees objection the inclusion of this, what he regards useless provision "reafflrming" the Monroe doctrine but he objects to a specific declaration with respect the Monroe doctrine something calculated to provoke controversy over "the interpretation of the meaning cG the Monroe doctrine"
 Now if the Monroe doctrine stand the president and all proponents say is, and Mr. Gregory says it is already safeguarded, when is there a better time for it's interpretation than before we have entered into the covenant before we have bound ourselves by our signatures. man in private would be regarded ;is a very ish one who would sign a contract expecting after ward find out just what it
 There is time like the present for the final settlement any controversies that play the interpretation of this any other provision of the covenant of the League Nations controversy
  which we think the league intersded to prevent decision afterward, against unless we should cept would put us in the light of reGacitrants and repudiators.
 The promise which MT. Gregory says might be included as a sop the American people is really worse than at all It not only clears up nothing with respect to the status of the Monroe doctrine under the but appears change doctrine itself by leaving the United States other west countries" to decide regarding it's operation All that beautifully indefinite formerly except for the fact that it from the sole power of determinauon Under such d proviso might pro- in vain against the dangers doctrine was in- voked against
 few years Japan negod ating, was understood to be negotiating naval base at Mag dalena Bay President Taft protested to both Mexico and Japan against the conclusion of the negotiation The protest rested entirely upon Monroe Doctrine Under the Gregory provso protest in such a case would bring the reply You bu4 Mexico and other western countries approve of the negotia- tions" Such proviso would throw open the whole continent south of the Rio Grande ts European ex- plotation.
 The proviso though not specific s more so than the covenant now stands with respect the Monroe doctrine, but it is specific the wrang side It n- definitely weakens the doctrine for the purposes for which it promulgated