Grand Forks herald., 1919-07-14
LEAGUE COVENAN "ONE OF THE ].
WORLDS GREATEST DOCUMENTS 2
SAYSSEN. SWANSON IN ADDRESS

Against The Objection
That Ii Would Sacr6ice
Sovereignty And Ameri-
can Traditions; Declares
1t Would Be Protection To
United States.
Washington. July 14.-Praising the
League Of Nations covenant Is "ons
of the worlds greatest documents.'
Senator Swanson Of Virginia, q Demo-
cratic member Of the foreisn relation
committee, told the senate today that
if the United States rejected the
league, 1t would mean that she would
skulk in the greatest world crisis that
ever occurred" Il assi VI,
The speaker defended the league
against the objections that it would
sacrifice sovereignty and American
traditions and asserted that on the
contrary it would result in immense
material gain in protecting American
integrity and preventing war. He de-
clared it would not create a super
government, involve Objectionable OBJ.
legations nor invalidate the Monroe
doctrine.
The pathway Of our duty Is pIaan,.
said Senator Swanson. Let uA not Be
frightened by our own prodtgoIs
shadow as it projects itself into world
affairs. Let US not be deferred from
our manifest duty and destiny by .
craven fear of becoming usae in K4v-
ing service and direction to a world
in hours Of it's need and distresz.s
Pointing out that the war had
shaken the social order to It's founda-
ton, the Virginia senator said it was
the paramount obligation Of responsil
BILE statemen to prevent another such
world Ito the rule of brute force and
barbarism of the dark ages"
Two Parties Aaaal LeAeue.
THE covenant Of the league has
been assailed from two opposite
sources" he continued, '.the league
will neither be super-state nor
sovereign. nor q helpless, poweriess
association of nations. The instru-
ment creating the league is a Cow
enant' entered into by sovereign
states. One Of the attributes of
sovereignty is the ability to make
covenants of agreements The state
clusiyely settled by the provision a.
lowing any member to witsAsasaW. No.
nation, superior or otherwise, ever
thus expressly provided means Tor its
dissolution. - ag vi
This covenant Il ratffs1d " the
senate would be no moro nor less
than treaty lega1ixed under our leg
islation. The plan for the formation
of the league is skilfully conceived
and the only one possible under ex-
isting political conditions.
The assembly Of the league win be
composed of representatives Of the
members who will be selected In ac-
cordance with the laws of the respec-
tive states. In the case Of the United
States the representatives, being OH
GERS created by treaty, would be ap-
pointed as provided by an act Of con-
gress. Much opposition has been
urged because a great nation like the
United States has only one vote in
the assembly. But what difference
does the number OF votes make when
upon all important matters the action
Of the assembly must be unanimous
or have the unanimous ooncuffence
States is permanently represented?
The league could never be orG1n-
lied on any basis other than that Of
equal representation. II members
were accorded difference in repreeen-
tation, upon what basis should ap-
portionment be made? II upon popu-
lation, China and India would dom.
mate the league and the United States
would have only one fifteenth Of the
number. II based upon wealth and
military power, the situation would be
equally as uncertain and unsatiscac-
tory.
What better plan for Disbursement
could be devised7 The council b d.
rected to prepare q general p4an Of
disarmament for the consideration Of
the governments, which plan Is not
approved by that state. Under ono
government the proposed plan to bs
effective In binding ns must haSe the,
sanction Of congress which b intrusted
under the legislation with the power
OF raising armies and equippinE the
navy. t,s Xxx 5s f} NJ Z.
Woald BE stannbline Block.
Under artacle 10 each member Of
the league undertakes first, to respect
the territorial integrity and political
Independence OF an other members Of
the league. When the nations Of tho
world. sohered BY sorrow and suffer
ing, are willing to raise their hands
and take this solemn pledge. are we
suilenly and stubbornly to stand aside
and become stumbling block In the
way of this noble achievement? DO
any OF them have possessions that we
view with covetous eyes and propose
to seize and annex? "a ~
The second obligation assumed by
each member Il to preserve rs
against external aggression the terri
tortal integrity and existing political
Independence OF al members OF the
league This Is AknAturai c0rolaFy
from the frst. In the former We un-
dertake not to rob our associates our
selves. and N this We agree not to per.
nit others to do %. This guarantees
Of territorial integrity and political in.
dependence n limited to those caSes
where they are threataned or attack
ed by external axgression and does
not Opply to revoi1tion within ma
ton. A n4tiOnis internationa affairs
are left undistur bod Nationallty.
with its vital stimula4ing patriot ma.
would be prsasrved, sfSen new lhN
and opportunity ~ II
Ansne1lssts Ostiizl u - =.
Ii,oushtfNl pasaqas reoosnissa tho:
independenne ef 6lslne non . 9uafAs-
tes nov. at 49, llos lt1aitsd s.
tcost, ~ - 3 ii;i s. q q I a
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