The Washington herald., 1919-04-01
ROOT PROPOSAL
TO CHANGE PACT
,STIRS SENATORS
brah Approves Stand for
Incorporation Of Monroe
Doctrine in League.
fcHCOCK OPPOSED
braskan Says American
(laims Are Not Proper
| Part of Covenant.

The amendments TO the league OF
atIons constitution proposed BY
klihu Root were the subject Of con-
|siderabIe comment among Senators
yesterday. Senator Borah, Of Idaho
chief ANTAGONIST Of the league
among the Republicans, expressed
himself as being in accord with Mr..
Roots position. upon formal recog-
niuon Of the Monroe Doctrine.
IN opposition to Senator Borah was
Senator Hitchcock, who announced
that he would be glad to see an
amendment adopted which would
preserve the Monroe Doctrine out
insisted that the question should
be separated from the question OF
immigration to which 1t was joined
in Mr.. Roots proposal.
Most Of the ether amendments 3
in Senator Hitchcock's opinion
would make it practically impos-
sible to bring about ratification.
CrItIeises Roots Suggestion.
Speaking Of Mr. Roots first
amendment, which would establish
an International tribunal for the
trial Of disputes between nations,
even those including national hon
or" and vital interests" Senator
Hitchcock said:
IN my opinion. IL this amendment
were Incorporated in the league Oon-
stitution it would add to the difficult
ties Of securing ratification. The Sen
ate has never been willing TO arbitrate
disputes involving national honor and
vital interests. 1t has specifically eX-
cIuded them. The proposition really
contemplates. though Mr.. Root does
not propose IL. eQuippinG the league of
the court with military or naval pow
ers to enforce the DEGREES il necessary.
This certainly is going too far.
Better far. in my opinion. is the league
provision which provides for arbitra-
tion where the members have treaties
for IT or may agree upon it,"
Senator Hitchcock said he hoped the
Monroe Doctrine would be specifically
reserved and that the President is OF
the same mind.
AS to Mr.. Roots proposition that
questions Of a domestic character
like immigration should be definite
lF excluded from league jurisdic-
ton. I agree with him. although not
with the wording Of his amend
I1ent. am quite certain that only
international questions can be con-
sidered. but that matter can easily
he made clear and I believe it will
be"
OF the amendment to provide for
withdrawal from the league at the
end Of FIVE years. the Senator said
he believed that after the league
had been in operation for five years
no nation would wish to withdraw.
The Monroe Doctrine.
Senator Bo-ah said: Mr.. Root
says there never was time when
the wisdom OF the Monroe doctrine
for the preservation of the peace
and safety Of the United States was
more evident than IL is now. The
American people will be grateful to
Mr. Root for this clear and courage
Gus announcement.
1T is not in the interests OF peace
IN America or in Europe that we
should forfeit these long established
policies announced by Washington
and Monroe. and Europe will not ask
US to forfeit them unless she has
ultcrior and sinister motives for doing
50.
The situation at Versailles for the
last few days ought to be sufficient
to cool the ardOr Of those who have
been most willing TO turn over our
vital affairs to tribunal controlled
by European powers"
Senator Borah left Washington
asst night to speak tonight
= Huntington, ". Va, and in
'1Iumbus Thursday night. Saturday
light he will speak in Chicago.
senator LenrOot returned yesterday
ron a tour in Wisconsin. He says
e found the sentiment of the peoplpe
I his State was five to one for a
sague Of nations, but about three to
ne against the kind Of league now
opposed.