Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-03-12
LEAGUE OF NATIONS
ENDORSED BY BRYAN
IN PUBLIC MESSAGE

lGontinoo1 From Flrst Paee)
rortant than ,hls-is That each nation
tho general council. rho Language OF
the ut",,, constitution, while not definite
required to furnish force 10 back uS
q decision OF the council. But no
doubt should be left on this subject.
This nation cannot afford TO allow
u council i'm which 1t has so small
voice TO carry II Into war against its
VIII. Our people will have as mucl,
sense when the time comes to act as
aSht TO guide them. When the emerg-
cncy arises. and they understand all
the circumstances and conditions. they
may be willing 10 assist by force, but
thcy cannot decide In advance or al
low council TO decide for them.
SHOULD HAVE RIGHT TO
DECIDE ON BOYCOIsrS
The constitution of the league would
seem to imply tho right OF the council
TO compel tho declaration of an eco
nomic boycott by the members Of the
League. This is not quite so serious
us the declaration Of war. but economic
boycott Is likely to develop into Il
war. and an economic boycott may
be pecuniarily advantageous to tho ma
tons that want to declare 1t. Our
interests may not he Identical in this
respect. and we ought TO have II right
70 say nj the time whether We would
declare such boycott
Il venture to suggest the scope of
the leagues work might we'll be ex-
tended beyond what is now contem-
plated a substitute for war must be
able to deal with every situation that
can become cause of war. One of
the most fruitful causes Of war has
been tho necessity for expansion.
Growing nations feeling the necessity
Tor more room. have often gone to
war on some clumsy pretext. while the
real purpose has been TO secure ter
rttory for an increasing population.
The riGh' % live Is one Of the inalicn-
ablc rights.N !; is Il primal right that
must he recognized in nations as we'll
as individuals.
unused land and distributing 1t among
those who need it. SO. IL the league OF
nations is TO substitute reason for
war it must be able 10 deal with
places of the earth.
DESIRE FOR TERRITORY
SHOULD COME nEFORE COUNCIL
"A nation feeling "A need for more
territory should be able to so before
the league and present its claims. and
use TO advantage. The council should
consider the clai inns and advise upon
1T. and the force of public opinion
should be used to secure such an
adjustment OF equities as would AFFORD
u peaceablc means of securing needed
territory.
Snch adjustments could be made tho
easier If tho league Endorsed the
proposition that any nation extending
its sovereignty over new territory
should stand ready to purchase the
property of. residents who do not de-
sire TO remain under the new SOW
cTcignty. The resident does not go
with the land. lie has rights indie
pendent and superior TO the. right to
the land. If against his will he Is
brought under new sovereignty he
ought TO be able TO sell his property
without loss, and choose Il sovereignty
of his own like.
81 have suggested what seemed 20
me to be desirable changes, some
being notifications, some being merely
moro explicit statements. / conclude
as ! began, that while we should en-
deavor 10 make the league as nearly
perfect as possible. we should not
allow its impcrfcctions TO lead TO it's
rejection.
We mus; take risks no matter
whether We accept the league or re-
tect it. The risks we take In accept
ing il are less than the risk We take
II We reject it and turn ok TO the
old ways Of blood and slaughter. God
grant those who are entrusted with
the launching of this great work MA $
have the wisdom to SO purge Il OF
selfshness and greed. and SO infuse
into it the spirit of the Prince OF
Peace as 20 make it the end OF war"