The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-07-14
THE BUGRB00
ABOUT ARTICLE x
(Boston Herald, June I'D

dangerous misconception has ex-
listed from the start in the minds of
many Americans as to what is in
yolved in Article 10 of the Covenant
of the League of Nations, to which
article Senator Johnson says, 1t is
unthinkable that any American can
subscribe
This article says: THE members of
the league undertake TO respect and
preserve as against external aggres
sion the territorial integrity and ex-
listing political independence of all
members of the league. In case OF
any such aggression or in case Of
threat OF danger OF such aggression,
the council shall advise on the means
b, which this obligation shall be full
filed"
This means simply and solely tina.
external aggression must end. 1t
does not mean that boundary lines ex-
isting today or existing whenever the
aggression occurs must be maintained
Nothing exists in the covenant which
provides for the maintenance of the
status quo. The trainers of the COW
enant had no such absurd notion that
a growing, constantly changing world
should be rigidly preserved as it ex
lists when the treaty is signed. There
are numerous ways in which changes
can be made without aggression: by
purchase. interchange, or some kind
of amicable agreement, especially if
preceded by removal of economic bar
riers. There is only one way by
which changes cannot be made-that
is. by external aggression. When
Senator Johnson asks, Are We ready,
Americans to pledge your sons and
your sons sons to maintain and pre-
serve for all time the present govern
ment of the little nations we are set
ting up in Europe?" he is conjuring up
ridiculous proposal never in the
minds of the trainers of the covenant.
Radicals and reactionaries alike have
stumbled over this plain statement
and some of them wickedly. some of
them ignorantly. read into it what is
not there. Enormous consequences
depend upon the immediate rectify-
| ing of this gross misunderstanding as
to the article which is the backbone
of the whole covenant.
| Let it be remembered, military OPP
/ position to external aggression is to
! be the last agency, not the first one.
used. Each nation is now to be its
| brothers keeper and should help in
| "a nf toll limo
venting trouble. Economic pressure
| is to be the first deterrent. A nation
| that will not send its case to court.
| that begins or external aggression, will
| in the first place know that not ship
| will enter it's ports. not railroad car
or telegram pass its border line. If
complete boycott fails, then a small
| quota of soldiers may be requisitioned
from each country. but only when our
4 representative on the council votes for
| it. We can never be compelled to
send our troops against our will.
| These sent will be volunteers, not
conscripts, and they will simply stop
aggression. They will not conquer
or continue punishment if aggression
! ceases.
Let Americans refuse to be fooled
by specious arguments. at this most
/ critical time. The question is, shall a
| fraction of the ninety-six men in the
/. American Senate prevent. world or
! ganization and the beginning of the
! end of external aggression and frus-
/ trate the world S hope?
!
LUCIA AMES MEAD.