Deming graphic., 1919-07-08
THE LEAGUE or NATIONS

have become partisan In character. II
would seem now that the Wilson sup
porters are TO defend the league and a
group composed Of republicans and a
few democrats are 10 oppose II. SsnS-
TOR Fall has Just launched an attack In
the senate against IL in which he de-
clares that IL win make the coDstitu-
zion "a scrap Of paper" Other oppo-
nents do not 90 quite ~ far. but are
nevertheless as firmly opposed to H.
Senator Knox would separate IL from
the peace treaty and has introduced 9
resolution to that effect The plain
intent, OF course. is 10 isolate II and
strangle IL at leisure. sentor Fan las
introduced a resolution 10 declare an
end 10 the state Of war with Germany
and hsr former allies This, II II GER
tain, is TO gain the time necessary TO
strangle the league. Former Senator
Elihu Root, sensing a danger 10 the
republican party In unqualified opposi-
ton 10 the league, proposes that the
most Objectionable articles be qualified
or eliminated, and that the rest OF IL
be accepted as part Of the treaty OF
peace. Probably. the question will be
settled on some such compromise basis.
Articles ten and twenty-one contain,
according TO opponents OF the coven-
ant, stipulations that infringe on the
sovereignty Of the United States and
seRd 10 subordinate its Independence
TO an inferna tional legislative body. Ar
ticle ten pledges the members Of the
league 20 respect and defend the terri
tOriAl integrity Of all members. In
other words. should the league decide
20 20 to war 10 preserve Italian boun-
daries OF the Dalmatian coast against
the aggression Of the JugoSlays we
would find ourselves In a fight In
which We had no real interest and no
moral right TO engage. Hence, con
gress seeks 10 reserve its constitutional
right 10 make war and peace a. II may
see fit, and as the interests Of the coun-
try may appear.
Article twenty-one was drawn at the
urgent request Of President Wilson to
protect the Monroe doctrine, but oppo-
nents OF his covenant assert that II l.
ambiguous In its reference to the doc
trine. Aside from this, Article twenty
one allows precedence to any other
standing treaty or alliance, as for
instance the treaty between Great
Britain and japan. Just what does
the league Of nations stand for any
wayi Is being asked Isn't II pretty
well dehOrned as il isl
The treaty Of peace as signed Is not
a Just peace in several particulars and
trouble in enforcing Il is sure 10 be en-
cOuntered. Hence the desire to build
up an alliance TO enforce and perpetu-
ate the settlements agreed upon. A
treaty that infringes the rights OF the
weak, lays the foundation for future
wars. Isn't II true that the League of
Nations Is a sort OF Holy Alliance that
attempts TO direct the trend OF history
ad infinltum, with the threat Of war
for those that oppose IL? A sort Of in
ternatiOnal tyranny. Anyway there are
members Of congress, regardless Of par
~, that believe the scramble treaty Of
peace and league Of nations Is men
ace 10 the future peace OF the world
and Of the United States In particular,
and there Is going TO be a fight when
the senate comes to ratification OF the
treaty and covenant As IL finally gets
by. II will be further emasculated, and
will be worthless as a binding defen-
siye and offensive alliance, and will but
serve as grounds for future mlsunder-
standings. We are virtually pledged
to enter the next European war.
The main point in the matter is that
the United States, under the guidance
OF idealists Of UtopIan fancies, has
elected 10 depart from time honor
ed policy Of mo entangling alliances"
that has allowed us TO build up our
own institstions In our own way and
10 defend them without asking permis-
sion from a concert Of powers
II is folly to believe that we win not
again bave to defend them, but from
WHOM? The friend Of today Is the enc
my Of tomorrow. Italy, you win re-
member, was a member OF the Triple
Alliance; but did she not fight on the
size OF the Entente? And IL
wasn't because Of democratic ideals al
together, either. Selfish interests are
the true guides and they viii OF neces-
sity continue 10 be. We did not go to
France as crusaderss any more than
the British did: We were there to
meet the legions Of the Germans and TO
cripple them 80 that they could not
fross the Atlantic to dominate the New