New-York tribune., 1919-03-12
srya1a Backs
League, but
Urges Changes
" ants Amendment Giving
Members Rigb, TO Dissent
From General Council

WASHINGTON. March ll.-Will-
lam Jennings Bryan issued statement
here tonight irdorsing the league of
nations, bat uggcsting amendments to
the proposed constitution which. among
other things, would preserve specifi-
cally the Monroe Doctrine, enlarge the
proportionate voting power OF the
United States and make it clear that
each member nation might decide for
itself whether it weuid support DEGREES
OF the leagues general council.
While pointing to imperfections, Mr.
Bryan urged that they should not be
allowed to lead to rejection OF the
plan, declaring tha. risks to be run in
accepting the league were less than
those involved in rejection and return
ing 10 the old ways of blood and
Slaughter
M. Bryan dictated The statement
from his sick bed at the home Of
friends, where he has been confined
for nearly three weeks. He said the
league Of nations idea, tine greatest
step toward peace in q thousand years y
was taken from the thirty arbitration
treaties negotiated By the United
States while Ae was Secretary OF
State
1t WAS not to be expected he sa id
that so great an idea would be made
perfect in detail in so short time, -
and added that, while President Wilson
had done the best he could" he would
be helped by intelligent and friendly
criticism from the American public.
The statement follows:
The league of nations is the great
est step toward peace in thousand
wears. The idea of substituting rea
son for force IN the settlement Of in
ternational disputes is in itself an
epoch-making advance
The constitution Of the league, as
arnounced, provides for three things
which constitute in themselves an ad-
vantage, the Importance of which
scarcely can be estimated:
81 Dcliberation before war-the
investigation of all disputes OF
their kind and character before hos
l'l:ties begin. This almost ends war.
The idea is taken from the thirty
treaties negotiated by the United
States with three quarters Of the
world. Our nation, therefore, gives
to the peace league its greatest niece
of machinerv.
80 The reduction of armaments
will make it impossible for a
nation 10 prepare for war without no
t'fyng the world of It's Intention
.S2 The abolition of secret treat
les. which will do much to pre-
vent the combinations which lead to
war. II the league of nations did
nothing more than provide these three
things oul ration would be justified in
supporting il TO the utmost.
1T is not 10 be expected that so
great an idea as the league of nations
would be made perfect in detail in so
short a time. There are defects that
should be corrected, and the fullest
discussion Of proposed amendments
should be lnvitcd Yhe newspapers Of
Great Britain, france and Italy are
not backward in the expression Of
their views as to changes that should
be made
"Why should the American people
be silent? Ours is the nation most
influential in the league. and most
powerful because most disinterested
It's people should help by free and
frank discussion to perfect the league.
The President has done The best he
could, but he viii be aided by intelli-
gent criticism from those friendly to
the idea.
II venture to point out certain
mcnt, be made in the interest Of a
stronger and better league
First, the basis of representation
is not fair to the United States. A
comparison OF voting strength will
show that while our nation is the
most powerful in the combination.
whether measured by population.
wealth or moral influence, il has no
larger vote than nations much in
fcrlor in population. wealth and inHu-
encc. This inequality ought, II pos
sihlc. 70 be corrected for justice is
the only foundation upon which any
institution can rest in permanent Sc
curity
second, the terms Of admission 20
nations that may desire to JOIN here
after arc not fair. To require two
thirds vote to admit a new nation
SupfeStS No social cluh ,,.horo - g..
Gn,,ti.. al