The Washington herald., 1919-02-05
WIRES SUPPORT
TO PRESIDENT
Chamber Of Commerce
Sends Wilson Its Approx
al of League.

Europe was told yesterday in a
cabled message from the United
States Chamber of Commerce that
American business is lined up firmly
behind President Wilson in his ad-
vOcacy OF a league of nations.
The message, which seems to sug-
Eest a fear on the part OF the send
ers that American propaganda
against the proposed league is MAX
ms an unfavorable impression
abroad. was sent directly to the
President in Paris and at the same
time made public here.
Urged League in 1915.
IL reads as follows:
The opposition which has been
expressed to a league of nations in
certain official quarters in this
country may lead to the assumption
abroad that there is lacking a
strong support of your most able
advocacy Of such a league. and as
Indicating the position of American
business your attention is invited to
Referendum No. IL of the Chamber
OF Commerce Of the United States,
which deals with this subject.
This referendum was taken in De-
Cember, 1915. a time when there was
much less interest in the idea OF a
league of nations than exists today.
Six questions were presented, all of
them urging initiative on the part of
our government in bringing about con-
CeTted action, and while the league
of nations was in no way included i'm
the document by name. such a defln-
-
mind when the vote was cast: and
the result is. therefore, not without
real interest at this time when the
whole world is awaiting with real
anxiety the decision of the Peace Con-
ference upon this great question. The
votes cast were by organizations. not
by individuals, and, therefore, repre-
sent the action of several hundred
thousand business concerns.
Upon the use OF economic and mill
itary pressure is shown the greatest
negative vote. and since it requires
n twO-thirds vote to carry a propO-
sItIOn in the chamber it will be noted
that the use of concerted military
force failed to carry, all the other
proposals carrying by a large vote.
THE questions covered by the refer
endum and the vote upon each are
given herewith.
The committee recommended that
for the decision of questions which
arise between nations and which can
be resolved upon the application of
established rules or upon a determin-
alton of facts the United States
should take the initiative in joining
with other nations in establishing an
international court: 755 votes in favor.
7 opposed.
The committee recommended that
for consideration of questions which
arise between nations and which do
not depend upon established rules
or upon facts which can be de-
termined by an international court
tho United States should take the
initiative in joining with other ma
tions in establishing a council Of
cOnCiliatiOn: IA votes in favor, %
opposed.
Approved Military Force.
Tho committee recommended that
tho United States should take the
initiative in joining with other ma
tions in agreeing to bring economic |
pressure to bear upon any nation or /
nations which resort to military
measures without submitting their
differences to an international court
or A council of COnCiliatiOn and
awaiting the decision of the court
or the reCOmme ndatiOn as CirCum
stances make the more appropriate:
J56 votes in favor. 157 opposed.
The committee recommended that
the United States take the initia-
tive in joining with other nations
m agreeing to use concerted mill
itary force in the event that con-
by the signatOry nations is not suf-
fcient to compel nations which have
proceeded to war to desist from
military operations and submit the
questions at issue to an interhatiOn-
al court or a council of COnCilia-
tion. as circumstances make the
more appropriate: .452 votes in
favor. 249 opposed
The committee recommended that
the United States should take the
initiative in establishing the prin-
ripIe of frequent international con-
ferenCes ct expressly stated inter-
walls for the progressive amendment
Of international law: 76S votes in,
favor. Is opposed.
American business thus records
itself unqUalifedly in favor of such
an international association as you
have been advocating and it is rea-
sonabIe to assume that a vote taken
today would. in the light of larger
experience and deeper thought upon
this subject. be productive of even
larger majOrities.'
Mr. whccIrr's statement.
This message was signed by
Harry \. Wheeler. as president of
the United States Chamber of Com
mcrcC. who. in making it public.
sent out this statement:
The time having arrived when in
the opinion of the chamber every
effort should be made to carry into
effect the proposition upon which