Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-08-14
SENATOR LODGE ON ARTICLE

In his address on the League Of Nations compact
the other day Senator Lodge said:
In Araicle X the United States is bound on
the appeal Of any member of the league not only
to respect but to preserve its independence and
its boundaries.
Mr.: Lodge then went on to describe a condition which
he thought might arise. He called attention to the report
that Bedouins we're attacking the kingdom Of Hedjaz, and
Hedjaz. he said. was a member of the league whose in
tesrity the United States would guarantee to preserve
from external aggression under the covenant Under this
arrangement, no said, King Huesain could appeal to the
United States for aid. and this country would be bound
to send American troops to Arabia.
If the facts were as Mr.. Lodge outlined them, such
a situation would be intolerable and unthinkable. II
there had been proposed a form Of covenant whereby
the government Of any little obscure power in a far
corner of the earth could demand aid from any nation
which it might select, and If that nation were obliged to
comply. no matter how flimsy or baseless the complaint.
the only possible explanation would be that a wave of
insanity had swept over the whole peace conference, and
that all the members had acted in a state Of suspended
intelligence. For it must be remembered that the same
compact that binds the United States binds France, Italy,
Britain, Brazil. and every other nation that is a party
to the covenant, and whose representatives assisted in
framing it. But just what does the cavenant say? Again
we cite Article x:
The members of the League undertake to
respect and preserve as against external agrees
sion the territorial integrity and existing political
independence of all members Of the League. In
case Of any such aggression. or in case Of any
threat or danger of such aggression. THE COUN-
GIL SHALL ADVISE upon the means by which
this obligation shall be fulfilled.
This seems tolerably clear. Under that clause, il
the king Of Arabia believes himself to be in need of
assistance to repel an enemy from without he would not
make a demand for troops on the United States or any
other nation and expect that demand to be met forth
with, regardless Of the merits Of the case. If he made
an appeal at all it would be to the council Of the leagued
nations, and that conucil would take the matter under
advisement. 1t would consider whether or not there
existed just cause and real need for intervention. And,
if it found that the need existed. it would recommend
the manner in which aid should be extended. Action
might take the form Of joint remonstrance, isolation of
the offending party by severance of communications, or
of actual military Intervention.
The League council is composed Of nine members
of which the United States is one. It's action in such
case as this must be unanimous. Specifically, it would
be necessary for the United States to concur in any de-.
cision reached or recommendation made.
Mr.. Lodges discussion Of this feature forces one to
the conclusion that the distinguished senator from Mas
sachussets has not yet read the League constitution.