Evening journal., 1919-03-27
HUGHES SUGGESTS
LEAGUE CHANGES
Useless Because Provisions
Cannot be Applied.
He Asserts
MONROE DOCTRINE
MUST Be INSERTED

NEW YORK. March 27-Charles L.
Hughes. former Justice OF the United
States Supreme Court and Republican
candidate for President in 1916. wants
the territorial guarahtee In the COW
cnani Of the league Of nations entirely
eliminated, suggests a specific declara-
tion Of adherence 10 the Monroe Doc
trine and advocates "hands on' purely
internal concerns Of the United states
Iby European powers.
In a speech at the Union League Club
yesterday afternoon 10 an audience
/ that packed the assembly chamber TO
the doors, Mr.. Hughes proposed the
following amendments 60 the covenant:
Cd BY explicit provision as TO the
requirement Of unanimity in decision.
l2) BY suitable limitation as 10 the
field Of the leagues inquiries and ac-
! tion. so as 90 leave no doubt that the
, internal concerns Of States. such as
immigration and tariff laws. are not
embraced.
80 BY providing that no foreign
power shall hereafter acquire by con-
quest. purchase, or in any other way,
any possession on the American con-
tineht or the islands adjacent thereto.
N) By providing that the settlement
Of purely American questions shall be
remitted primarily 10 the American
nations. and that European nations
shall not intervene unless requested 20
do so by the American nations.
t5) BY emitting the guarantee Of
Article X.
(6) By providing that no member Of
the league shall BE- constituted a man
datory without is consent, and no
European OF Asiatic power shall be
constituted a mandatory Of any Ameri-
can people.
10 By providing that any member
Of the league may withdraw at its
pleasure on a specific notice.
"lt was magnificent analytical
treatment Of the topic Of the hour. and
it should be read by every thoughtful
American" said United States Senator
William NJ Calder, after he and others
had congratulated Mr.. Hughes on his
address.
I'VE are not dealing with an aspira-
ton. but with a document" said Mr..
Hughes. "The question is not whether
an aspiration needs a document, but
whether the document will give effect
10 AlAH a. NliAA hAiNAAs We a. tA1AAHN ttrN -
voice an emotion. but to approve a |
plan.
"The question is one OF vital import |
ance 20 the American people. IL Is a |
great American question. and should |
be DISCUSSED without partisan bias If
the nlan is a good one it ought TO be
approved regardless OF its origin. II
On plan Is seriously defective or dan
gerous its source should not save it.
The question is presented in advance
Of the formulation Of party platforms
and should be considered upon its mer-
its. Republican opposers who believe
they are right should welcome Demo
cratic support.
This counsel. OF course, is for Dem
ocrats. as well as for Republicans. II
the latter are not 10 oppose because
they are Republicans. 10 should equally
be expected that the former will not
support because they are Democrats.
The test is not in profession, but in the
candor with which The subject IS
treated.
81 shall not attempt e. review mat
tcrs OF mere form. 10 seems 20 be con- /
ceded that the covenant was poorly /
drafted. and its most earnest support
ers have severely criticised it. When
Mr.. Taft says that ITS meaning has 60
be dug out and the language is pond
erous and in diplomatic patos' and