The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-27

conquest purchase or in any other way
any possession on the American continent
or the islands adjacent thereto. Nor do
believe that the European members OF
the league would object to such a clause,
because they do not want another nation
to acquire military posts or naval sta
tons In tho neighborhood OF their own
coasts, canals or coaling stations
Such an amendment Is essential;
regard II as vital to our Just interests
Again, in order to safeguard interests
that are distinctively American. I agree
with Mr. Taft that there should be fur
Their provision that the settlement OF
purely American questions should be re-
mitted primarily to the American ma
tons, with machinery like that OF the
present league and that European ma
tons should not intervene unless re-
quested to do SO by the American ma
lions
A Trouble Breeder.
"The Guaranty IN Article X.-This Is
as follows:
1.-The high contracting parties shall
undertake to respect and preserve as
against external aggression the terri
torial integrity and existing political in
dependence Of all States members OF the
league. In case Of any such aggression
or In any case OF any threat or danger
Of such aggression the Executive Council
shall advise upon the means by which
the obligation shall be fulfilled
This contemplates an immediate un-
dertaking. that is, the present assump-
ton OF the obligation as defined. The
guaranty relates to the territorial In
tegrity and political independence Of
every State that is a member Of the
league; the agreement is to preserve
that integrity and Independence as
against external aggression. II this
preservation. as may be expected. re-
quires the force OF arms. then we must
supply the force of arms OF be regarded
as defaulting In our engagement.
ut has been said that this guaranty
should be given for the protection Of the
new States to be erected In Europe.
But there appears to be no reason In
any event why a guaranty of this sort
should be given to all the States in the
world which may become members OF
the league.
1T regard this guaranty as a trouble
breeder and not a peace maker. l be-
lieve II to be unnecessary and unwise {;
there Ia little ground for supposing that
1t will prevent war on the contrary. It
is likely to prove illusory and to create
disappointment and a sense OF injury
and injustice on the part of those who
are led to place confidence in It.
primarily. apart from other consid-
erations. its inflexibility should condemn
It. This covenant is intended TO be a
permanent arrangement. Even IL
State could withdraw from the league
the undertaking would remain as long
| as membership continued. and the cove
nant can be amended only II all tho
States whose representatives compose
the Executive Council and three fourths
of the States whose representatives COM
pose the body OF delegates ratify the
| amendment. Unless the league Is dis
| rupted the guaranty may be regarded
as a permanent one. The guaranty
makes no allowance for changes which
! may be advisable. II ascribes a pre-
science and soundness OF Judgment to
tho present Peace Conference In erect
ing States and defining boundaries
which nobody In the history of the
world has ever possessed. Even as to
the new States II attempts to make per-
manent existing conditions, or condi-
ditions as arranged at this conference,
In world OF dynamic forces to which
no one can set bounds. 1t gives no fair
| opportunity for adjustments II Is In
tho teeth OF experience. The limitation
Of the words as against external aggres-
foresee what the merits of particular
cases may be. Nor does Article MI.
afford security. Even II Jurisdiction
could be deemed to attach under Article
XII. to a matter within the guaranty Of
Article y. there might not be. indeed II
may be said that there probably would
| not be, unanimous recomn mend alton.
What good reason Is there for this guar
anty to apply to unknown and unfore-
seeabie contingencies? Why not leave
the future TO conference and decision ir
the light of events:
The guaranty would be unwise ever
II It could accomplish It's apparent pur'
peace. But ] also think that 1t will
prove TO be illusory. Should there b,
occasion TO make the promise good. no
improbably 1t will be insisted that 1t 1,
a collective guaranty. Already, II Il
urged in support OF the guaranty tina
its obligation apparently rests no
upon any nation individually but depends
upon united action, both as to the oc
casion and manner OF enforcement. Thu
general tenor OF the covenant, as wei
as the last clause OF Article X. vii
be appealed TO in support OF this view.