The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-04-01
nj CRCUCK LEADS =,
IN OPPOSITION TO
ROOTS PROPOSAL
Should Separate Monroe
Doctrine From Cues
ton Of immigration.
BORAH WITH ROOT
Suggested Amendments
Would Make Ratihca'
ton Practically Impos'
sible.
BORAH WITH ROOT

wash inEton March 3f,--The
constitution proposed by E,lihu Root
were the subject OF considerable COM
ment among senator's today. Senator
Borah. of Idaho. The chief antagniaist
of the league among the Republicans,
expressed himself as heins entirely
In accord with Mr.. Roots position.
He welcomed Mr. Root to the side Of
those " no insist upon formal recoSui-
ton OF the Monroe doctrine
In distinct opposition TO Senator
y,orah was a statement issued by SEN
ator Hstchccck. who will lead the
fight for the ratification of the league
covenant as the representative and
spokesman of the president. Senator
Hitchcock takes the position that &C
ceptance of the amendments proposed
by Mr.. Root would he preiudicial TO
ratification. The senator announced
I hat he would he glad to see an amend
tnent adopted which would preserve
the Monroe doctrine, hut insisted that
the question should be separated from
the question of Immigration, to which
lit was Joined In Mr.. Roots proposal
Most OF the other amendments, in
Senator Hitchcock's opinion, would
make it practically impossible TO bring
about ratification Of tho cosans zht y
the senate
Speaking OF Mr.. Roots first amend
ment. which would establish an inter-
national tribune for the trial of dis
putes between nations, even those in
Guiding national honor and vital
Interests. senator Hitchcock said:
add 70 DifIicuiiics-
, Tn my opinion II this statement
were Incorporated In the league con-
stitu,ion, 1t would add to tho difti-
lculties of securing ratification Inc
senate has never been willing TO ar
bitrate disputes involving nauonai
honors and vital Interests. 1t has
specifically excluded them. can
well imagine the storm of objections
no this amendment in the senate from
those who fear the United States may
70 too Ear in BIZ ding itself in ad-
vance to accept the decisions OF
foreigners, as some senator's have ex~
pressed it Nor do ] think that otner
nations will care to go any furthef
than we are willing TO go IN the direc-
tion OF agreeing In advance TO suornit
questions involving national honor anu
vital interests to the final decision OF
an international court. The propo-
sition really contemnlates though Mr.,
Root does not propose IT. equlpping
the league OF the court with mtntary
or naval powers TO enforce the DC
erees il necessary.
j Going Too Far.
This certainly is going too far
Better far in my opinion is the league
provision which provides for arbi-
/ tration where the members have
treaties for it or may agree upon 1t.
! Senator Hitchcock said he hoped
that the Monroe Doctrine would be
specifically reserved and that the
president is of the same mind.
II would NOT be willing, however
TO insist upon II at the expense OF
! losing or endangering the league.
he added. Nor would / be willing to
agree TO consent TO some OF the
special concessions for which other
nations are asking as trade - incor-
porate the Monroe Doctrine IN the
league.
..As to Mr. Roots proposition that
questions OF domestic character like
Immigration should be definitely ca,
cluded from league Jurisdiction,
agree with him although not with thu
wording OF his amendment I an
quite certain that only internauona-
questions can BE- considered. but tina
matter can easily b. made clear ant
believe 1t viii be
J Senator Hitchcock expressed tbs
view that the other amendments pro
posed by Mr.. Root we're of minor i'm
pcrtancc. or the amendment to pro
vide for withdrawal from the League
al the end of five years the senate
said he believed that after the leasi'
had been in operation for five year
no nation would wish to withdraw
Therefore this amendment, in h
Iopinton,ywcssta be anah ice iona hse.eses