The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1919-11-28

in the interest of the United States"
This statement perhaps embodies the
main excuse that all other Senators
will make who syted for the adoption
Il the reservation. But is this state
rent true! /. is a we'll Known fact
hat Cenator Spencer has blown hot
and cold on the treaty and League
covenant. Members Of his own party
have accused him Of trying to strad-
die the issue and his actions furnish
ample foundation for such charges.
What is there in this reservation
that makes it "A great American step
in the interest of the United States?"
Article X reads as follows: "The men,
bers OF the League undertake - re-
spect the preserve as agg,nst external
aggression the territorial integrity
and existing political independence Of
all members of the League. In case
of such aggression or in case of any
threat or danger of such aggression,
the Council shall advise upon the
means by which this obligation shall
be fulfilled"
1t is readily seen that nowhere in
this article is the sovereignty or indie
pendence Of action on the part of the
United States curtailed. Article X
simply pledges the members of the
League to assume joint responsibility
in protecting other members of the
League from invasion without, and in
case aggression on any nation that is
a member of the League is made, "The
oh cd fln
by which this obligation shall be ful-
filed" This section nor any other
part Of Article X pledges the United
States or any other nation that be-
comes member of the League to go
to war in case of aggression. In fact
it is we'll known that under our Con-
stitution war could not be declared eX-
cept by act of Congress, Where then,
is the danger of assuming the moral
obligation to do our part in using our
influence and council to prevent war?
We had just as well not be recognized
IS a member of the League if we do
not take upon ourselves some RESPONSE
bility. The prime object in proposing
the drafting the League was that Of
preventing war and if every nation
that adopts the proposed cov:nant
would take upon themselves no more
binding obligations than the Senators
who voted for the adoption of the Res
ervation affecting Article X, the
League would be no more than de-
hating society II would have no now.
nr ne nrost;Se M moral forco hock Of
il Il would be imnotent and pmonp
Nations like Germany was before the
war il would ha regarded as n farce
! r, - ,'.-, ann.
,, ine neseIV"'iol auopteu say my
ohiteu states assumes no opilgatlo.ls
W pieseiIe tle seLIi.oi IA intes tLy
VI Political ituepellue e " any otnni
country anu W llteile'e IN iio eoneio-
kEeLSy etI"e9l natioil', Wie'i NJ. n.e.ii-
ncrs ol tne League s: or not I ms 8 pro-
s wouiu ICi!ese Cne G LiI;.. osastS
aIoii eaNilis any LeSpoii spun ""a..
ever; n0 TO-: even 10 Vhe e'td Vi using our
soou oiLleeo "rii Iol 1ne Pleseh''o'l
or settleIi1ehI Vi any tollIroyeISy .:1, rs
oTilaLol wash VI Mot;"lia aain rs
tiieS's VI Ciie heselVatioii woulu oe W
D!id otiler countries les 70 come 70 our
a!I oeI Mouiu i.ot Glnu 10 W. 70 20 70 'i y,
anu "a s oHiLel eGu.l1e d We o ,,,tS -,
sooa l taitn Vi inr sJou hcepiiiS WIN oui
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one tui.'e, a. cnis Cl,ie 10 ny
osnnnsih;,i Wn'n al St W. ~ S SaS
to' pm tI w. anu utS "" 81 me,pee
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t nr ' W. oo at - &c ot Ell
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