The Marietta journal. (Marietta, Ga.) 1918-1944, 1919-04-11
PARIS COVENANT FOR
LEAGUE OF. NATIONS

Continued from preceding page)
would make the western hemisphere
our own preserve, in which we may
impose our sovereign will on othef
countries in what we suppose to be
their own interest, because, indeed,
we have done that in the past, should
not be sustained. Our conquests OF
western territory, of course, have
worked greatly for the civilization OF
the world and for our own usefulness
and the happiness of those who now
occupy that territory; but we haVes
reached a state in the worlds history
when its progress should be now de-
termined and secured under just and
peaceful conditions, and progress
through conquest by powerful nations
should be prevented.
To suppose that the conditions IN
America and in Europe can be MAIN
tanned absolutely separate, with the
great trade relations between North
America and Europe, is to look back
ward, not forward. 1t does not face
existing conditions.
The European nations desire our
entrance into this league not that
they may control America but to
secure our aid in controlling Europe,
and | venture to think that they
would be relieved if the primary duty
of keeping peace and policing this
western hemisphere were related to
US and our western colleagues.
object, however, to such reservation
as was contained in the Hague Con-
ference against entangling alliances,
because the recommendation was
framed before this war and contained
provisions as to the so-called policy
against entangling alliances that are
inconsistent with the present needs
of this nation and of the rest of the
world if a peaceful future is to be
secured to both. would favor, how
ever, a recognition Of the Monroe
Doctrine as | have stated it above by
specific words in the covenant, and
with a further provision that the set
Element of purely American questions
should be RENTED primarily to the
American nations, with machinery
like that of the present league, and
that European nations should not IN
tervene unless requested to do so by
the American nations.
Objection is made to this league
on constitutional grounds. This lea
que is to be made by the treaty MAX
ing power of the United States. What
does the treaty making power cover?
The Supreme Court of the United
States, through Mr.. Justice Field, In
the Riggs case has held that it covers
the right to deal with by contract
with all subject matters which are
usually dealt with by contract in
treaties between nations, except it
cannot be used to change our form
of government or to part with terri
tory of a State without its consent.
The Supreme Court has over and
over again, through Mr.. Chief JUS
tice Marshall, indicated that the
United States was nation and capa-
BILE of dealing with other nations as
such, and with all the powers infer
able from such sovereignty. 1t is
said, however, that the league will
change the form of our government.
But no function or discretion Is ia
ken from any branch of the govern
ment which it now performs or ex-
ercises. 1t is asserted that the cove
nant delegates to an outside tribunal,
viz, the Executive Council, the power
vested by the constitutional in Con-
gress or the Senate. But the Elk
ecutive Council has no power but to
recommend to the nations of the
league courses which those nations
may accept or reject, save in the
matter of increasing the limit of
armament, to which the United States
by its Congress, after full considera
ton, shall have consented. Neither
the Executive Council nor the body
of delegates in the machinery for the
peaceful settling of differences does
other than to recommend a compro-