Evening journal., 1919-02-28
THAT LEAGUE OF NATIONS.
70 the Editor Of The Evening Jourr


To the Editor OF The Evening Journal.
Sir;-Americans are being asked TO
, snter Leagut OF Nations and bind
themselves to abide by its Constitution
Forever.
p Do my fellow Americans. let me ask,
realize clearly the fact that the United
states Of America IS now the richest
and most powerful nation in the
world?
Do they realize clearly the fact that
as a member Of the League" the
United states would be only one OF an
, executive council" Of nine nations, and
that the other eight would have a COM
mon interest against us in the interna-
tionalizstion Of our Panama Canal?
Do they realize clearly the fact that
the European nations have important
interests In common which we do not
share. and that in these questions they
would naturally stand together against
us?
Do they realize, for instance, that
the other eight nations are our debtors.
and we are the creditors OF all: that
we would be one creditor IN the power
of eight debtors2
Are they willing % bind themselves
not 10 increase our army or navy with
out the consent OF an executive coun-
oil" controlled by the other elght,-by
the Powers OF Europe and Asia? / am
not.
Are they willing thus 20 surrender
into the hands OF such a coalition OF
European and Asiatic Powers the Sc
oh 10
areisnty Of the United states? am
not.
Are they willing 10 bind themselves
% preserve s-ggainst external ag-
gression"-which means 10 fight for
the territorial Integrity and political
independence Of states, little and big. In
Europe, Africa, Asia. and Central and
. South America? I am not.
Are they willing TO bind themselves
70 accept the decision OF the Powers
Of Europe and Asia in matters which
relate to Mexico and the countries
which surround and control our Canal
Zone.-and thus in effect to surrender
the Monroe Doctrine? I am not.
Are they willing to bind themselves
not to make war in defence Of our
southern border, or our Canal Zone.
without the consent OF the European
and Asiat.o Powers? / am not
Are they willing. to bind themselves
not TO make war to prevent the trans
fer OF Magdalena Bay or lower Call
fornla TO a foreign nation. If the Euro
pean and Asiatic Powers confirm the
title OF the purchaser and refuse the
United States their permission TO Tight?
/ am not.
Are they willing to bind themselves
20 stop doing business at the command
Of the Powers Of Europe and Asia with
any nation that those powers may de-
termine to punish. even II 10 be against
our will and interests? am not.
Are they willing 10 bind themselves
70 surrender the control which we now
exercise over the supply Of arms and
ammunition TO Mexico, for instance.
and 10 place that control in the hands
Of the European and Asiatic Powers? ?
am not.
Are they willing TO bind themselves
20 administer remote territories IN
Europe, Asia, or Africa, as an agent Of
the European and Asiatlo Powers2 ]
am not
Are they willing to bind themselves
20 give these powers the right to direct
our actions as merely an agent Of these
powers In the work Of policing Cen
tral America. for instance, for the pro-
lection Of our Panama Canal2 I am
not.
Finally. are they willing-hsve they
the right2-to bind themselves. their
children and children's children, to
these things forever? am not; have
not the right.
Is America so unable TO care for her
self that she needs must place herself
under an international protectorate2
ought we not have suflclent faith in