Omaha daily bee., 1919-03-31
COVENANT
CHANGES
BY YJURIST
Republican Statesman Would
Approve Peace Conference
Scheme Amended as
He Suggests.

New York, March 30.--Elihh
Root tonight declared himself an
advocate of the league Of nations
covenant made public by the peace y
conference, provided it is amended,
primarily, by writing enforcement 7,
clauses into the articles calling for
arbitration and limitation of arms-
ments, by restricting to five year,
the unanimous guaranty Of the prcL
ent political and territorial status Of
members and by protecting from
non-American interference the af-
fairs of the American continents.
He made his approval contingent
also upon amendments assuring
periodic revision of international
law and a general re-drafting of the
covenant in an atmosphere removed
by sever. years from the issues at
tendant upon the settlement of
world war.
To dispel doubt as to the right of
withdrawal from the league, he
favored specific reservation of this
privilege to any signatory, CO.
incident with or after the proposed
re-drafting conference.
Duty Of United States.
If these changes could be made,
the former secretary of state as
serted, it would be "the clear duty
of the United States to enter into
the league agreement, in keeping
Nth xvI,at ha krp,,and <1n asak
general desire of the American re-
public that the country do its full
share toward the establishment OF
an effective international organiza-
ton to preserve the peace cfs the
world"
Mr.. Root reviewed the league
project and proposed his amend
ments, six in number, in letter to
Will H. Hays, chairman of the re-
publican national committee. which
the latter gave out, for publication.
The discussion was in response to
a request by the party leaders. who
advised the former cabinet member
and senator that citizens in the re-
publican ranks determined to do all
that can possibly be done toward
the maintenance of peace without
sacrificing Our own supreme ma
tionaism" and seeking "the best
judgment to aid them in reaching
a conclusion, would appreciate a
study of the covenant from Mr..
Root
Would Save Monroe Doctrine.
Mr.. Root proposed that the Mons
roe doctrine-"the United States
traditional attitude toward purely
American questions BE wiiLi'----l
from decisions or recn- -.ons
of other powers" in, -graph in
serted in the league constitution inn
mediately before the signature of
the American delegates.
Without such an amendment, he
continued, Surrender of the Mon
roe doctrine is inevitable under the
terms of the covenant.
The leagues provision for COM
pulsory international conferences on
political questions in times of danger
was classed by the former secretary
as "a great step forward" But the
scheme was not carried far enough,
he said. 1t should not merely sug-
gest, but compel arbitration, cx-
cluding only those questions Of pol
icy or politics. He added that the
drafters OF the league plan, in leav-
ing to disputants the privilege OF
submitting to arbitration questions
which they recognize as suitable
fnr t.a4
subject of arbitration back where: i 4
was Is years ago"
Reduction of Armaments.
Along with compulsory. arbitra.s
ton, Mr.. Root urged adoption OF
the suggestion. Of Leon Bourgeois A
Of the French peace delegation that Il
the league be given powers of in
spection and verification to make
effective the proposed general agree
ment for reduction of armamcnts 10
the lowest point consistent with the
national safety of each member.
Without a weapon such as this, he
claimed, tho disarmament commits
sion would be helpless against
some nations whose public of
flcers would regard it as "a duty TO
conceal and mislead," and the whols
effort to secure future peace wouli
go for nothing"
The former senator advocated
definite arrangements in the cove.
nant for keeping international law
up to date and for revision Of the
instrument itself, BY provision for a
conference of the signatory powers
on the former subject within two to
five days, and on the latter question
hve to 10 years hence. One OF the
leagues weaknesses. in its present
draft, he declared, was its failure to
assure perpetuation OF the progress
of present and past generations IN
the development and application OF
international law"
In view OF uncertainty as to when +
or upon what terms the central or
eastern powers are to be admitted
to the league he contended that The
initial obligations OF the mcmbcn