The Weston leader. [volume] (Weston, Umatilla County, Or.) 189?-1946, 1919-08-08
THE BUeABO0
ABOUT ARTICLE X
Boston Herald, June II,

A dangerous misconceptIon has en-
isted from the start In the minds Of
many Americans as 10 what Is In
yoIved In Article 10 Of the Covenant
Of the League OF Nations. TO which
article Senator johnson says, 1T IL
unthinkabls that any American can
subscribe"
This article says: The members Of
the league undertake 10 respect and
preserve as against external aggres-
sion the territorial integrity and en-
isting political independence Of all
members OF the league. In case Of
any such aggression or In case OF
threat OF danger OF such aggression.
the council shall advise on the means
b, which this obligation shall be full
filed"
This means simply and solely that
external aggression must end II
does not mean that boundary lines ex-
istIng today or existing whenever the
aggression occurs must be maintained.
Nothing exists in the covenant which
provides for the maintenance Of the
status quo. The trainers Of the COW
enant had no such absurd notion that
a growing. constantly changing world
should be rigidly preserved as II ex-
lists when the treaty Is signed. There
are numerous ways In which changes
can be made without aggression: by
purchase. interchange, or some kind
Of amicable agreement especially II
preceded by removal OF economic bar
riers. There is only one way By
which changes cannot be made-thaf
Is, by external aggression. When
Senator johnson asks, Are ye ready,
Americans to pledge your sons and
your sons sons TO maintain and pre-
serve for all time the present govern
ment Of the little nations we are set
ting up In Europe'" be is conjuring up
ridiculous proposal never In the
minds OF the trainers Of the covenant.
Radicals and reactIonaries alike have
stumbled over this plain statement
and some OF them wickediy. some OF
them ignorantly, read into II what Is
not there. Enormous consequences
depend upon the immediate rectify-
ing OF this gross misunderstanding as
10 the article which is the backbone
OF the whole covenant.
Let II be remembered. military OPP
position to external aggression Is TO
be the last agency. not the first one,
used. Each nation IL now TO be its
brothers keeper and should help In
the great work Of forestailing and pre-
venting trouble, Economic pressure
Il to be the first deterrent. A nation
that will not send It's case to court.
that begins on external aggression, VIII
in the first place know that not ship
will enter its ports. not a railroad car
or telegram pass its border line. II
complete boycott fails. then small
auota OF soldiers may be requisitioned
from each country. but only when our
on the council votes for
L. We can never be compelled to
send our troops against our win.
Those sent win be volunteers. not
and they win simply stop
aggression. They will not conquer
Or continue punishment II aggression
ceases.
Let Americans refuse to be fooled
By specious arguments at this most
critical time. The question Is, shall
traction OF the ninety-six men in the
American Senate prevent world or
yanixation and the beginning OF the
md Of external aggression and frus-
rate the worlds hopes
LUCIA AMES MEAD.