South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-03-12

more than a majority be required
for the admission OF any qualified
nation.
CONSTITUTION
TOO INDEFINITE.
The faults OF the constitution are
found TO be in its indefiniteness
rather than in things Objectionable.
For instance, IL is not stated with
sufficient clearnes5 that the Monroe
dostrine is preserved. Our nation
Is. not asking 20 be permitted to as
sist in the settlement Of European
disputes. and therefore L ought not
10 be asked 10 give up its paramount
influence in the western hemisphere
as condition precedent TO it's entry
into the league. Then, too. = is not
stated with sufficient clearness that
a league member is not required 20
become a mandatory. II ought 10 be
definitely stated that nation askei
20 become a mandatory is AZ liberty
10 accept or decline. Again. i
should be made clear that the league
Is not 20 interfere in the internal af-
fairs OF the nations belonging 70 the
league. The league is for the settle
ment OF international disputes, not
for the adjustments Of difficulties be-
tween a nation and its own people.
Another matter that should be
made clear. and nothing can be more
important than this, is that each
nation has a right to decide for itself
whether it will undertake the things
advised by the general council The
! language OF the constitution, while
not definite, would seem TO indicate
/ that no nation is required 10 furnish
force TO back up a decision OF the
council. But no doubt should be left
on this subject.
! COUNCIL CANNOT
/ DECIDE WAR FOR L. :.
This nation cannot afford to al
/ low a council in which IL has so small
a voice 10 carry il into war against
its will. Our people will have as
I much sense when the time comes TO
act as they have now and they will
have more light to guide them.
When the emergency arises and they
understand all the circumstances
and conditions, they may be willing
to assist by force, but they cannot
decide in advance or allow a council
to decide for them.
The constitution of the league
would seem to imply the right of the
council to compel the declaration OF
an economic boycott by the members
of the league. This is not quite so
serious as the declaration of war,
but an economic boycott is likely 10
develop into war and an economic
boycott may be of pecuniary advan-
tage to the nations that want to de-
clare it, Our interests may not BE
identical in this respect and We
ought TO have a right to say at the
time whether we would declare such
a boycott.
EXTEND SCOPE
OF LEAGUES WORK.
II venture to suggest that the
scope Of the leagues work might
we'll be extended beyond what is now
contemplated. A substitute for war
must be able TO deal with every sit
uation that can become a cause for
war. One of the most fruitful causes
OF war has been the necessity for eN-
pansion. Growing nations feeling
the necessity for more room have
often gone to war on some clumsy
pretext when the real purpose has
been TO secure territory for an in
creasing population. The right 20
live is one of the inalienable rights.
It is a primal right that must be
recognized in nations as well as in
dividuals.
Nations exercise the right Of
taking unused land and distributing
Il among those who need it. So If
the league OF nations is TO substitute
reason for war IL must be able 10
deal with claims that are made for
the waste places OF the earth.
"A nation feeling a need for more
territory should be able to go be-
fore the league and present its
claims. and point out the territory
which il can use to advantage. The
council should consider the claim
ants. advise upon IL and the force
Of public opinion should be used to
\ secure such an adjustment Of equities
as would afford a peaceable means
of securing needed territory.
PURCHASE PROPERTY
OF THE RESIDENTS.
such adjustments could be made
! easier if the league endorsed the
proposition that any natiof, extend
ing its sovereignty over rS'E terri
tory should stand ready TO purchase
the property of residents who do not
desire 10 remain under the new SOW
ereignty. The resident does not go
with the land. He has rights indie
pendent and superior TO the right 10
the land. If against his will, he is
brought under new sovereignty, he
ought TO be able 10 sell his property
without loss and choose a sovereign
" OF his own like.
81 have suggested what seems -
he desirable changes 70 me, some
being notifications. some being
merely more explicit statements. I
conclude as I began, that while We
should endeavor 20 make the league
as nearly perfect as possible. we
should not allow its imperfections
TO lead 10 its rejection. We must
take risks no matter whether we
accept the league or reject il. The
risks that we take i'm accepting IL are