The Corpus Christi caller. [volume] (Corpus Christi, Tex.) 1918-1987, 1919-09-14

legged. The Caller would Join the opponents Of the
present Covenant
But such is not the case, as The Caller reads
and constructs the Covenant
Tbs affairs OF the League are conducted by
TWO bodies, Council and an Assembly.
The Council is composed Of seven members.
FIVE permanent, two TO be selected at stated Pc
RODS hy the FIVE permanent members The /
permanent members are the FIVE great powers. !
the United States Great Britain. France. Italy /
and Japan
The Assembly consists of one representative /
Of each Nation. member of the League. In this
assembly, provinces OF Great Britain such rs
Canada and Australia. enjoy membership. This I
fact is responsible for the statement that Great
Britain can out-vote the United States
How do thees bodies operate?
The Assembly is a sort of common Council
or as the President has aptly termed it. de-
batting society. IL can take no prime or final
action in respect 60 any vital matter
The Council is supreme The acts Of the
Assembly are subject TO review and ratification
10y the Council AND THE COUNCIL CAN
ONLY ACT UNANIMOUSLY.
In other words, under any set Of crcun-
stances, the machinery of the League can only
Zoe set in motion in respect TO any matter which
might involve the members of the League IN
war 10y and with the consent Of the United
States.
The second formidable objection is the much
discussed Section 10 What does it provide2 II
merely pledges the members of the League joint
" to protect the existing territorial integrity
of all members of the League against EN-
TERNAL aggression The real purpor of this
section. It seems to us. is a recognition of the
present status quo of the several members Of
the League.
The opponents of the Covenant contend that
this pledge will involve the United States in end
less war Let us see.
What is the fundamental law Of the United
States We answer. the Constitution. That
great instrument is the foundation of all author
Ia.
various branches of government. No law that
may be enacted by Congress, no agreement
which may be made BY the Executive or egis-
ative branch of our government is valid which
is contrary 10 any of the provisions OF the Con-
stitution. The right to declare war is exclusive
~ voted by the Constitution in the Congress
Is it, therefore not entirely clear that if Che
United States should ever be called upon, by vir-
tue of the obligation contained IN Section 10 Of
the League Covenant, TO resort 80 force Of arms
10 protect the territorial integrity of another
member of the league against external aggres-
sion, the approval of Congress would be con-
dtion precedent to such action? 1t seems so
20 MS
The abrogation Of the Monroe Doctrine is
yet another reason urged against the ratfca-
non ol the Covenant. And yet the Covenant
specifically by name, recognizes the Monroe
Doctrine and declares that il shall not be
abridged.
1t is an unfortunate American habit to view
public questions through partisan eyes I'm the
fervency and neat of discussion we are accus-
toned to adopt the policy of whole hog or
none
In the present instance il seems TO us that.
politics aside, the two contending camps in the
League controversy are not far apart Unset
fish statesmen who place country above party
and who sincerely desire to promote the peace of
the world and the happiness of mankind should
be able, by the exercise of a little of the spirit
of consideration to bring about an understand
ing.
The President tells as il is too late to change
the Covenant that il can not be amended with
out again recalling the entire Peace Commission
including the conquered German Nation which
has already ratified the treaty. (And it should
be remembered that the League Covenant is an
integral an nseparable part of the treaty and
indeed provides the machinery for carrying out
the provisions Of the treaty) Obviously no
reservations could become y part of the Coven-
ant for the same reason.
But il does seem to that the whole con
tr0versy could be ended i'm a very simple manner
and satisfactorily to the Nation at large If the
Senate should at the time of its ratification of
the treaty and It's coincident adoption of the
League Covenant, pass a resolution Of interpre-
tations In other words. let the Senate declare
to the world its construction Of the Covenant.
Let the Senate detail If il desires, the conditions
under which il viii operate far as the United
States is concerned and the limitations which
our Constitution necessarily imposes I'm respect
TO the war-madng poyer
Such a program, we believe would be con-
sistent and proper and leave no room for specu.
ation and doubt as to how the interests of the
United States would in the future be affected by
the activities and operations of the League
ldealistic as the League of Nations may be
TO the hard-boied. practical mind which shrinks
from things new and untred, it nevertheless Of
fers too much for the future of mankind To be
careessly thrown into the discard without a
trial And If il doesn't work method of es.
cape is provided; the United States can with