Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-08-02
MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATED
PRESS
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. 2, 1871
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

\ Made in America for America, by
Americans, and for all who would pc
come one with the people. Such is tNe
constitution. Not one clause of IL mas
heen made at the suggestion OF
fnreiqn Government, nor has 1t been
remodeled or amended for the benent
of other nations.
plain and brief az it was at FIRST
additions became necessary, ana
high court had to interpret ana suaru
as TO meaning and application. But
for such decisions and amendments,
provision had been made. They we're
made by and for the people. VINO
dwell under the constitution NO
foreign counsel was called in to advise
the nation what to do for itself
And. yet no such servieeable instru-
ment has ever been devised by any
other nation, nor by Amy polygiot
assemblage composed of contending
factions and interests.
Its makers had one single glorious
purpose: To establish forever for the
people of this country a government
and system for them alone, and TO
prevent its alteration through beeom-
ing involved with alien countries and
methods.
II was never intended that through
any alliances the freedom of TINS
government to decide its own course
OF action at home or in foreign policy
should be controlled by the vote OF
any power or combination of powers
Much less did the American people
contemplate that any body other than
congress could ever say America must
20 to war, or be warred upon by order
of an organization of which it would
be a member, regardless of the wishes
of this nations people.
Simple as the constitution of the
United States was intended to be, con
structed by people of one mind as tc
it's main purpose, it has taken l3l
years of Interpretation of the instru'
ment. and of guarding it against viola
tons by the people themselves
through legislative acts, to keel
upon the firm foundation it nov
occupies.
But not even the great supreme
court and the master minds of judges
and statesmen were able to proven
disputes and misinterpretation amont
the people, over an instrument of theii
own making, as time passed and In
terests differed. Not until after Y
years was the perpetuity of the con
stitution assured and accepted, follow
ing an internecine war.
AS to a league of nations and 1t
covenant covering things neve
dreamed of in the philosophy o
America, in it lie far more complex
ties than have been solved by tn
country alone, removed as it has bee
from the influences Of other nation
and practices,
There are those who would abandon
the "mind- cur own business" policy
in the desire to join in regulating al
the world, even those peoples VIII
ask nothing of this country and coul
never be antagonists.
For this was the covenant drawn
abroad and under it America woul
be under moral if not actual pledg
to abide by any decision of body a
a foreign capital, to participate in
war against any member nation c
non-member; or to refuse to sell foo
to such nation, no matter ho'
"iendly the country might be deci(
whl to discipline, now how much Anne
Plea held the victim blameless. To So
that the United States could stay o,
of the conflict under certain cond
tons is not satisfying.
Under Article X, the language
such that the president, as con
mander of the army and navy mig
feel bound to obey orders from Il
league, and send forces without wal
ing for war declaration by COZ
gress. Already the president has Sc
military forces to several southel
countries, controlling by force of arr
small nations with which this count
has had no quarrel. How much mo
frequently would this occur if al
body of foreign representatives shou
ask under Article x?
If it hasttaken more than a centu
to make the constitution wo
smoothly among people who we
homogeneous at first and are mo
so now than mingling races abroa
this combination treaty and coyena
.