New-York tribune., 1919-03-31
Says Present Covenant
Sounds Death knell of
Monroe Doctrine; In
sists on Senate Debate
Outlines Views in
A Letter to HAYS
Wants immigration Safe
guard; Says Republi.
cans Oppose Only De-
tails, Not General Idea

WASHINGTON, March 3O.-In re-
sponsc to letter from Will II. Hays.
chairman of the Republican National
Committee, Elihu Root has written an
opinion Of the league of nations cove
nant.
He condemns the covenant in its
present form as inimical TO the ma
tiona integrity of the United States.
and offers six amendments to the pres
ent form Of the document.
Mr.. Hays, in his letter requesting
Mr.. Roots opinion, pointed out that
the Republican party by no means op-
posed league Of nations that would
insure the peace of the world, but was
determined TO support only sucn COW
cnant as would guarantee tour own su-
preme natlonalisnl."
The need for amendment of tho pres.
cnt covenant is recognized, Mr.. Root
says, both by the opponents and advo-
Gates Of the document. He also insists
that whtn 1t Is rosubmitted to the Sen.
ac 1t should have the carofu1 and
panstaking consideration of that body
before 1t Is adopted.
Proposes Six Amendments
! Mr. Roots proposed amendments
Aeail for; ~
H Substitute for Article XIII of tho
y eovcnan). A court Of arbtral JUS
tice shall be established, to which the
! members Of the league shall refer for
adjustment all disputes of n justicia-
bic character; that is, disputes involy-
ng breach of treaty or international
} aw, and reparation to be made for
such a breach.
ID Add to Article XIV). The CON
ference is to be called not less
Than two nor more than five years after
establishment of the league to review
The condition of international law.
Regular conferences to be called there
after.
Z Go precede the signature of the
American delegates). The United
States shall not be called upon to sub
nit questions affecting its policy on
purely American Notwithstanding
ammigration-to the decision or recon-
mendation of other powers.
4 add TO Article X). Members of
the league may terminate their
4 membership five years after its foun-
/ dation by giving one years notice.
}S add to Article v. The commits
sion shall be given power to sat
isfy itself by inspection as to the au
thenticity of the nations reports con-
cerning armament equipment muni-
tons and the industries referred to
in Article VIII.
e add to Article XIV. Executive
council shall call a general con-
ference of league members, not less
than FIVE nor more than ten years after
us establishment, to consider its re-
vision.
Letter of Hays to Root
The letter of Mr.. Hays requesting
dr. Root to submit an opinion Of the
league covenant follows:
Hon Elihu Root, New York, ~ Y.
Dear Senator Root: Americans are
seeking earnestly for further light on
the question of the so-called league of
nations.
In the same spirit in which Rcpub-
sieans during the recent war measured
tneir every act by how they could con-
tribute most to effective action, so now
hey are determined to meet this new
Phase OF the war problem in that re-
wed spirit Of fervent Americanism
which 10 the glorincd result of our ex-
Hr'encc Of fire and blood, moving with
Iuii appreciation Of this country's
anfy AS responsible factor in the
~erld OF to-day and tomorrow and
Win the earnest determination to do
~ that can possibly be done toward
sne maintenance Of peace without sac
nhcing our own supreme nationaiism,
sae preservation Of which In its in
nxrty ~ the greatest safeguard for
We future not only for the citizens Of
sn's country but for all peoples every
where.
eisn seriousness Commensurate
.'sn me magnitude ard compIexity of
.ns problem, the people are seeking the
.a''sss information and best judgment
J, snaDie them TO reach correct con-
x.as'ons know that ! express tho
.ssl'ns of great numbers Of your feliow
,Ves's as when I say that they will BE-
paasf real obligation 70 you it you will