The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-05-09

are obliged to take part in a boycott
against a nation that attacks another
member contrary to the league cove
nant they do otherwise agree to
join in making war.
Does not place peace above justice.
but provides for war as a last resort
to restrain an aggressive nation and
does not forbid war against a nation
that refuses TO accept the awards of
league tribunals and in case OF dis
putes where no decision can be
reached by the Council or Assembly.
Does not prevent the division or
union of existing nations. but keeps
open every means of enectng changes
in national boundaries except by ex-
ternal aggression.
Does not affect the constitutional
authority of congress 10 declare war.
although congress will he morally
bound by this treaty. as by every
other. The council al recommend
war. but only congress can declare
war.
Does not destroy the Monroe doe
trine.-0U lie cnntrary.theIMonro
doctrine for the first time in history
is expressly recognized by all the
members of the league. and its prin-
ciple extended to the world by means
of the provision hat the territorial
integrity and political independence
OF all the members shall be preserved.
Does not interfere in the domestic
affairs of any nation. That also is
expressly provided against The
league does not concern itself with
revolutions, rebeliions, immigration,
its members.
Does not exceed the treaty power
under the Constitution. The United
States has during Its history entered
into treaties involving all the powers
affected by the covenant
VI. Membership.
The covenant provides the follow
ing rules for membership in the
league:
Charter membership is open to the
following signatories to the treaty of
peace: OF America,
Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil. British En-
pire. Canada. Australia. South Africa,
New Zealand. India. China, Cuba.
Czesco-Slovakia. Ecuador. France.
Greece, Guatemala. Haiti. Hediaz.
Honduras. italy. japan, Liberia, Mic
araGua. Panama, Peru, Poland Por-
tug !. Rumania. Serbia. Siam, uru-
quay: and to the following states
which are invited to accede to the
covenant.-Argentine Republic. Chile.
Colombia. Denmark. Netherlands,
Norway. Paraguay. Persia, Salvador.
Spain, Sweden. Switzerland, Nene-
zuela-
Other self-governing states. domin-
ions or colonies NAV be admitted 70
the league provided they give EFF
fective guarantees of sincerity and
accept such regulations regarding
military and naval armaments as
NAV be prescribed by the league.
VII. Location.
The seat of the league shall be at
Geneva unless changed by the coun-
cit.
VIII. Approval. Ratification and
Amendment
This covenant in its original FORM
was unanimously approved by repre-
senta,ives of fourteen nations at the
peace conference, was then referred
to the peoples of the world for criti-
cism AMI suggestion and revised IN
the light Of his discussion. 1t In
cludes ali the material amendments
requested by the people of the United
States. In its final form, it is now re-
ferred to the governments OF the ma
lions for adoption. When ratified IT
can he amended by the unanimous
vote Of the nations represented IN the
council al. | a majority of the nations
represented in the assembly.
No amendment, however. shall !
any member of the league which sig
nifes it's dissent therefrom, but in
that case the dissenting state would
cease to be a member OF the league.